Westlands First School’s motto is ‘Together, we are a rainbow of possibilities.’ This captures exactly what the school is all about. Pupils are happy, polite, well behaved and keen to learn. Leaders and staff have created a safe space for pupils. Leaders work with parents, carers and pupils to ensure that everyone knows what bullying is. Bullying is rare and pupils say that they know staff will sort it out if it does happen. One parent, reflecting the view of many, told us that ‘Staff are kind, caring and considerate, and work closely with me to ensure my child’s happiness and safety.’ Staff expect the very best of the pupils. Pupils rise to meet these expectations. Paintings of ‘Pepe the Penguin’ pop up around the school to remind pupils and visitors of the school’s values. These paintings help pupils to remember the standard of behaviour staff expect from them. Leaders provide a good quality of education. More pupils are working at the expected level for their age. Parents are rightly proud of the school. One parent said: ‘I would wish that every child could come here so everyone can see what an amazing place it is!’ What does the school do well and what does it need to do better? Leaders have thought carefully about what pupils will learn and experience during their time at the school. This is clear in reading, writing, mathematics, science and history. It is less clear in other subjects, such as geography and art. In some subjects, pupils can remember things they have learned earlier. For example, when learning about animals in science, a child talked knowledgeably about reptiles. Pupils enjoy talking about their learning. Leaders’ focus on improving reading is having a positive impact. Leaders give careful thought to the sounds pupils learn when they begin to read. All staff have been trained to know what sounds pupils should learn by when. As they move through the school, pupils become fluent readers who know the importance of reading. Most pupils enjoy reading but leaders are striving so that all pupils feel the same. Pupils enjoy listening to their teachers reading stories to them. In 2019, the proportion of pupils achieving the expected standard in the phonics screening check in Year 1 was well above the national average. This was a big improvement from the previous year. Adults support children in the Nursery and Reception well. They help them to settle quickly. Children know how to behave and learn confidently and independently. There is a strong focus on developing social and language skills, as well as reading and writing. However, some areas of the curriculum, such as understanding the world and art and design, are less developed.