A Wolverhampton primary school where pupils ‘feel welcome and have a real sense of belonging’ has been praised by Ofsted.
Inspectors visited Springdale Primary School last month and, in their report published recently, highlighted the school’s ‘highly inclusive culture where pupils are known well and receive support that reflects their individual needs and circumstances’.
Inspectors found that leaders ensure pupils feel welcome from the moment they join the school, with staff working closely with families and external professionals to identify barriers to learning or wellbeing and acting quickly to reduce them. As a result, pupils engage confidently in learning and school life.
The report highlights the effective support provided to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with staff understanding pupils’ strengths and needs well and adapting learning appropriately to help them succeed. Inspectors describe the school’s speech and language resource base as a particular strength, noting that personalised experiences and specialist training help pupils improve their communication skills, behaviour, and independence over time.
Pupils ‘have a real sense of belonging’ at Springdale because staff know and value them as individuals. They speak warmly about their school, saying that adults are kind and always ready to help. The school’s ‘SHINE’ values of being safe, happy, included, nurtured and enthusiastic guide how pupils care for themselves and others.
Inspectors found that pupils leave Springdale with the knowledge and skills they need for secondary school. They highlighted improvements which demonstrate the ‘positive impact of leaders’ actions to strengthen pupils’ foundational knowledge and skills’ – indeed, Springdale’s most recent Key Stage 2 outcomes were above the national average for the first time.
The report also praises the school’s ‘broad and ambitious curriculum’, positive relationships throughout the school and the strong focus on pupils’ wellbeing. Pupils benefit from a range of enrichment opportunities, while pastoral support helps them develop confidence and overcome barriers to learning.
Under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, Springdale Primary School was judged to be at Strong Standard for Inclusion and at Expected Standard for Achievement, Attendance and behaviour, Curriculum and teaching, Early years, Leadership and governance, and Personal development and wellbeing. The school also meets safeguarding standards.
Headteacher Zoe Lowe said: “I am incredibly proud of how far Springdale Primary School has come over the last 3 years.
“This positive Ofsted outcome reflects the dedication, passion and hard work of our entire school community – together, we have driven significant improvements in both the quality of education and pupil outcomes, with results continuing to rise year on year.
“In 2026, 77% of our mainstream pupils achieved the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 11% achieving Greater Depth. These achievements are a testament to the commitment of our staff, the resilience of our children and the strong partnerships we have with our families.
“While we are proud of these outcomes, we remain ambitious and committed to providing the very best education for every child at Springdale.”
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, added: “I would like to congratulate everyone at Springdale Primary School on this positive inspection outcome.
“This report highlights a school where inclusion is at the heart of everything it does. Inspectors found that pupils are known and valued as individuals, receive the support they need to succeed and benefit from a caring environment where they feel safe, welcome, and included.
“Everyone connected with Springdale should be very proud of this achievement and of the difference they are making to the lives of young people every day.”