Side by Side is the local authority’s model for a collaborative school improvement system. It enables schools throughout Buckinghamshire, regardless of their size, type or funding status, to share expertise and work together to improve teaching and outcomes for pupils.
Within the programme, Enhancement schools demonstrate strong practice across the inspection framework and have the capacity to contribute to wider system improvement. They are well placed to share expertise from their strongest practitioners through peer support, professional dialogue and modelling effective practice.
For Wooburn Green, based in High Wycombe, the designation follows sustained work to strengthen its early years provision, led by Gemma Saunders, Assistant Headteacher and Early Years Lead, with support from Buckinghamshire Council’s Early Years team.
The council’s "Early Years Side by Side: Providers in Partnership" programme combines specialist training, data analysis, individual school visits and opportunities to share effective practice, helping schools strengthen provision and outcomes for young children.
Sam Kaye, Headteacher at Wooburn Green Primary School, commented:
We’re really proud to have been named as an Enhancement school. Buckinghamshire Council’s Early Years team worked closely with us to review our data, provision and day-to-day teaching, and identify strategies to strengthen our practice.
To move forward, we had a different focus each term. We began by improving our learning environments, then focused on high-quality interactions with pupils, making sure every interaction was as purposeful as possible. We also reviewed our long-term plan to ensure our curriculum was bespoke to the children at our school.
We’ve progressed from the Intervention category, through Prevention, to Enhancement. Having benefited from support ourselves, we’re now in a position to share our strongest practice and help other schools on their improvement journeys. We’re already supporting colleagues through the Trust’s early years network meetings, sharing expertise and learning from one another. We’re continuing to engage with the Side by Side programme this year and exploring how our team can support others more widely.
The recognition comes as Wooburn Green continues to develop its provision and strengthen its links with the local community. Pupil numbers have grown from around 130 when Sam was appointed Headteacher in 2023 to approximately 180 today.
He explains:
We’re very much a close-knit school. I can hand on heart say that I know every single child in this school. I’m on the gate every morning, alongside my assistant headteacher team and other middle leaders, greeting our parents and children. Beyond our school gates, we’re also very actively involved in our wider community where we have excellent links and contribute to many community events.
Alongside academic achievement, the school is passionate about mental health, wellbeing and personal development. Zones of Regulation, a framework used in schools to help children identify, understand, and manage their emotions and energy level, is embedded in every classroom while pupils across all year groups benefit from its dedicated Forest School site, which is used weekly with specially trained teachers. A member of staff is also trained in Drawing and Talking to provide additional pastoral support.
We want our children to do well academically, but, driven by our school vision and values, we’re also big believers in their personal and social development,” Sam said. “That’s really crucial for me: making sure they’re ready for the next stage in their education, able to regulate their emotions, contribute to society and be active citizens.
The school also benefits from Great Learners Trust initiatives, including its School Bank, which teaches students valuable financial literacy skills, promoting responsible money management and savings habits from an early age. Digital resources include virtual reality experiences for Year 1 pupils, a green screen and a podcasting suite.
A school "bucket list" also aims to give every pupil access to around 10 experiences during their time at Wooburn Green. These include meeting an author and an athlete, witnessing a scientific explosion and visiting the seaside.
Sam adds:
I want to make sure children get those opportunities, regardless of their background. We want to continue to grow and improve, and we want to be the school of choice in the area. We want people to come and see what we do and how we do things.
Sarah Baber, CEO of Great Learners Trust, said:
We’re really pleased that Wooburn Green’s strong practice and capacity to support other schools have been recognised through its Enhancement designation, and the progress the school is making. Its team has valuable early years expertise to share, and this recognition reflects the commitment of staff, children and families at Wooburn Green and across our Trust. We’re pleased to support Buckinghamshire Council’s School Improvement Service and maintain strong, collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships across Buckinghamshire. By continuing to work together, we can help raise pupil attainment across the county.