Ardleigh Green Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils, staff and parents and carers typically described this highly successful school as 'amazing'. The school's values, including teaching pupils to be resourceful and responsible, are well embedded throughout the school. Pupils draw on their resilience when faced with challenges; they know it means not giving up.

Pupils talk enthusiastically about the school and they sing with gusto when performing the school's song. They keenly accept the varied opportunities to take on leadership in the school. They thrive in roles such as playleaders and school librarians.

Pupils behave in an exemplary manner. They have extraordinarily positive attitudes to their learning. The s...chool makes sure that pupils' well-being is a priority and that their needs are considered.

For example, the 'nest' provides a calm space where skilled adults work with pupils so that they are ready for learning. Pupils know that the school staff care about them. Staff know pupils well and take their views into account.

For instance, the school offers clubs such as Spanish and science in response to pupils' suggestions.

Pupils realise the school's high expectations. At the end of Year 2, pupils leave the school with a rich and well-rounded body of knowledge.

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

The school has an ambitious and meticulously planned curriculum. Across all subjects and in the early years, staff have considered carefully what pupils learn and in what order. In Reception, staff plan learning that helps children to learn well across all areas of learning.

Pupils build on their knowledge as they move through the school. They use increasingly rich vocabulary in their responses to teachers' questions. Teachers are skilled in adapting activities following timely checks on what pupils remember.

As a result, pupils build their new learning on well-laid foundations, making links and connections with what they already know. Pupils produce work of a very high standard and achieve well.

Accurate identification and assessment of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) mean that these pupils receive the high-quality provision they need.

Where appropriate, they learn the same ambitious curriculum as the rest of their classes, with skilful support from staff to help remove any barriers to learning. For example, the careful selection of resources helps pupils with SEND to access learning.

Reading has a prominent place in the school.

Pupils enjoy hearing their teachers read stories to them. The phonics programme is delivered to a high standard. Staff teach the youngest children to recognise letters and the sounds that they make.

Pupils in Years 1 and 2 continue to develop their phonics knowledge and read with accuracy and fluency. Rigorous assessment identifies when pupils are at risk of falling behind. Staff support these pupils in practising their reading skills.

As a result, pupils catch up swiftly. Teachers carefully select books that match the sounds pupils have learned.

Pupils listen to their teachers, concentrate on their learning and work hard in class.

They are genuinely interested in the views of others and talk about their feelings freely. In Reception, children are encouraged to be independent and to work and play with others. Teachers provide additional 'knowledge books' that help to extend pupils' learning, such as on 'international cuisine' and 'London landmarks'.

Leaders have worked hard with families to bring attendance back in line with the national average.

The school introduces pupils to the importance of concepts such as equality. Pupils are taught about the importance of healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.

They have opportunities to support others. For example, pupils who are 'school ambassadors' relish the responsibility of helping out at a local baby group. The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular clubs to nurture pupils' interests and talents.

Leaders, including the trust and local governance committee, encourage staff to develop their skills, and they ensure that staff are well trained. Leaders listen to the views of the staff and are considerate of their well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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