The Lincoln St Peter-in-Eastgate Church of England (Controlled) Infants School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils describe this school as a 'friendly and kind place'. Typically, a pupil commented, 'We have kind and lovely friends to play with and lots of amazing teachers.'

Staff put pupils first in all that they do. They live the school's values of 'friendship, respect, responsibility, courage, trust and forgiveness'. Leaders ensure that pupils enjoy their time at school.

Staff have high expectations of behaviour. Pupils are generally calm and focused. Lessons are rarely disrupted.

Pupils say that they feel safe. They say that there is no bullying. Staff sort out occasional unkindness and disagreements.

However, leaders' expectations of what pupils can l...earn are not high enough in all curriculum areas.

Staff provide opportunities that nurture pupils' personal development. They develop pupils' strength of character and confidence.

Pupils gain from opportunities to mature spiritually, morally and socially. They delighted in the Christingle collective worship. They cherish links with the local church community.

Pupils are active in their charity fundraising to support a South Sudan village.

Parents and carers value the school. Typically, a parent commented, 'Leaders greet children at the gate with a smile every morning.

They are well looked after. They come home full of excitement about what they have learned.'

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The quality of education is variable.

Leaders have developed ambitious curriculums in some subjects. They have identified the key knowledge that pupils need to know and remember. They arrange this knowledge so that pupils build on previous learning.

For example, in history, pupils learn about local historic people. They use this knowledge to develop an understanding of chronology. In art, pupils build their knowledge of line, shape, colour and texture through learning about portraits and artists such as Picasso and Warhol.

However, leaders have not ensured that curriculums are ambitious enough in some subjects. In mathematics, leaders have not developed a curriculum that is ambitious enough. Teachers' expectations are not high enough in this subject.

They do not consistently build pupils' learning over time. Pupils have gaps in their learning which are not addressed. Pupils do not learn well enough in mathematics.

Leaders prioritise reading. They ensure that stories and books support class topics. Leaders have introduced a new phonics scheme.

They have provided staff with training to follow the scheme. Staff mostly match texts to the letters and sounds pupils are learning. However, teachers do not have high-enough expectations for some pupils who are more fluent in their reading.

Not all teachers use assessment effectively in all subjects to check what pupils know and to inform what should be taught next.

Leaders have a strong knowledge of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Adults tailor pupils' learning so that they can access the same curriculum as others.

Adults skilfully help pupils with SEND with their learning.

Leaders make sure that children get off to a positive start in the Reception class. Teachers have embedded routines for children.

Children know what adults expect of them. Children play and learn together. They benefit from well-planned opportunities to build their knowledge and explore the world around them.

Stories are integral to children's learning. For example, they learn traditional tales. Children are well prepared for their future learning.

Staff provide pupils with a range of opportunities to learn about themselves and others. Leaders have developed a well-planned personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education curriculum. Pupils learn about British values and what these mean for them.

Staff promote pupils' emotional and physical health. Leaders develop pupils' awareness of different religions and cultures. Pupils learn about friendships.

They receive age-appropriate relationships and health education. Staff encourage pupils to take on responsibilities, for example, as monitors and helpers.

Governors ensure that the school achieves its mission in being part of the community.

However, they have not made sure that leaders receive sufficient support. Leaders are burdened with workload. As a result, leaders have not been able to fulfil all of their responsibilities.

For example, they have not systematically monitored and strategically improved the quality of education across all subjects.

Staff feel that leaders are considerate of their well-being and workload. They say morale is positive.

They enjoy working at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have created a secure culture of safeguarding.

Staff know and understand pupils very well. All staff receive regular training. They know what to do if they have any concerns about pupils' welfare.

They understand their responsibilities.

Leaders keep records of safeguarding concerns. However, they have not ensured that these records contain the details that they should.

Pupils know that staff support them when they share their worries or concerns. Pupils learn about potential risks, for example, when online and in the community. They learn how to share any concerns with a trusted adult.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, teachers have not identified the important knowledge that pupils should learn and the order in which they should learn it. At times, teachers' expectations of what pupils can learn are too low. As a result, pupils do not learn in a way that enables them to build their knowledge and skills over time.

Leaders should ensure that there are high expectations of what pupils can learn. They should make sure that there is clarification across all subjects as to the knowledge that should be taught and when so that pupils are able to know and remember more. ? Leaders and teachers do not use assessment well in all subjects.

They do not regularly check what pupils know and remember, to identify any gaps in pupils' knowledge and to inform future learning. Leaders should ensure that all staff have the knowledge and skills to use assessment effectively. ? Governors have not acted to sustain leadership capacity.

Leaders are not fulfilling all of their responsibilities. As a result, the school does not provide a consistently high quality of education, and leaders have not maintained robust safeguarding records. Governors should ensure that the support they provide enables leaders to fulfil their responsibilities consistently.