Arden Grove Infant and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school. The pupils' best interests are at the heart of everything the headteacher, other school leaders, and staff do.

As a result, pupils make rapid progress and leave having attained high standards. Leaders at all levels, including governors, are relentless in their drive to continually improve the quality of teaching and pupils' achievements. Pupils respond very positively to the high expectations of leaders and staff, always aiming high and giving of their best.

Early years' provision is excellent. As soon as children join the Nursery, they are introduced to the school's highly effective approach to teaching and learning. In Receptio...n, rapid progress continues so children are well prepared for Year 1.

Pupils' progress is tracked very closely so all, including the most able, the disadvantaged, the disabled and those who have special educational needs, make the progress of which they are capable. In this way, the school successfully meets its aim to be a 'learning for all school'. Pupils are kept very safe and are extremely well cared for.

They are very proud of their school. Pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is promoted exceptionally well. Their excellent personal development is the foundation for their high academic achievement.

Subjects are meticulously and thoughtfully planned to offer pupils an enormous range and variety of stimulating activities which fire their imagination, enthusiasm and thirst for learning. Pupils' behaviour is excellent and they delight in taking responsibility for their own learning. They blossom in this trusting and positive atmosphere to become highly committed and enthusiastic learners.

Pupils greatly enjoy all that the school has to offer. Teaching is of a very high standard. Consistency between teachers means that pupils know what is expected of them, and what they can expect, too.

Parents work very closely with the school and play a very significant part in their pupils' success. All those who responded to the online survey said that they would recommend the school to another parent.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized primary school.

Arden Grove Infant and Nursery School converted to become an academy on 1 June 2013. When its predecessor school, of the same name, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to be good. Nearly all pupils are White British.

The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium is below the national average. The pupil premium is additional funding for pupils previously known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is above average.

On 6 December 2013, the school formed The Norfolk Schools and Norwich Theatre Royal Trust, an 'umbrella trust' with Hellesdon High School and Theatre Royal. This is a body that oversees the work the three institutions undertake together. It has two 'directors' from each institution and is governed by articles of association.

It does not trade and holds no funds. The school runs two part-time Nursery classes, one in the morning and one if the afternoon. The school runs an 'early morning club'.

The headteacher has recently become a 'Norfolk Systems Leader' for the local authority, to advise other schools. An independent pre-school operates on the school site. This is separately inspected.

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