Schools
Walsall primary school praised for its exceptionalism by Ofsted
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A primary school in Walsall has been described as a vibrant, nurturing and harmonious school by Ofsted inspectors.
Following their visit in November 2025, Ofsted inspectors judged three areas of the school as exceptional, and the remaining four areas as a strong standard:
- Inclusion – exceptional
- Leadership and governance – exceptional
- Personal development and wellbeing – exceptional
- Achievement – strong standard
- Attendance and behaviour – strong standard
- Curriculum and teaching – strong standard
- Early years – strong standard
The report praises the school for creating an exceptional culture of inclusion, ensuring every pupil thrives both academically and personally, and that staff identify pupils’ needs early and act swiftly to remove barriers to learning and wellbeing. The school’s focus on personal development was also applauded, with pupils demonstrating maturity, respect and strong emotional resilience, meaning they leave the school as well-rounded, confident young people.
Max Wakeman, Headteacher at Goldsmith Primary Academy, said, “We put ourselves forward for a voluntary inspection under the new Ofsted framework because we are incredibly proud of our school community and confident in the excellent education we provide every day. To be one of only two primary schools in the country to receive three ‘Exceptional’ grades to date is a humbling and momentous achievement. This report captures the heart of Goldsmith. It recognises that we don’t just teach children; we nurture them, we include them, and we empower them to become the very best versions of themselves.”
Dawn Haywood, CEO of Windsor Academy Trust, added, “We are incredibly proud that Goldsmith’s inspection confirms the school is not just meeting expectations but exceeding them in all areas and is one of the highest-performing primary schools in the country under the new framework. This serves as a powerful reminder that every child can thrive, academically and personally, regardless of background or starting point."
“ Congratulations to everyone at Goldsmith’s for this fantastic achievement. We’re proud of our high-quality education in Walsall, and as of last year, 91% of Walsall schools were judged ‘Good’ of better by Ofsted, which is higher than the national average.
It’s reports like this which are showing that the next generation are receiving a fantastic education to prepare them for their next stage of learning, and that they are thriving and happy
“
Goldsmith Primary Academy is one of two schools in the borough part of the Windsor Academy Trust and is the first school in Walsall to be inspected under the new education framework set out by Ofsted.
The full report can be found here: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/138591
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