Barnes Infant Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is a good school. Parents overwhelmingly agree that their children thrive in the warm and caring atmosphere. The school is not yet outstanding because the role of middle leaders is still developing and the impact they have had on the quality of teaching and learning is not yet embedded.

As a result there are still some inconsistencies in the quality of teaching. The school's promotion of pupils' moral and social development is exceptional and behaviour is excellent. Pupils' achievement is good.

They are confident, enthusiastic learners who work hard and make good progress from when they join the school. Some groups of pupils who have not attained so well in the past are now making acceler...ated progress as a result of the school's actions, and are reaching the same level as their peers nationally. The quality of teaching is good overall because staff make regular and accurate assessments of pupils' learning and use this information well to plan the next steps.

However, some teachers' questioning and the work they have planned are not sharply enough targeted to offer sufficient challenge and sometimes there is a lack of clarity about what is being learned in lessons. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary in the classroom and around school. Pupils come to school promptly each day, eager to learn.

Their excellent attitudes to learning are seen in the way they work together cooperatively and collaboratively. Leaders and managers, including the governing body, have clear ambitions for the school. They manage staff performance and teaching well.

Middle leaders are having an increasingly effective impact on improving pupils' achievement.

Information about the school

This is a larger-than-average school. The majority of pupils are of White British heritage, and although the proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups has increased, it is still below the national average.

The percentage of pupils who are at an early stage of learning English as an additional language is less than the national average. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is just above the national average. The percentage of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is lower than the national average.

About two thirds of each year group begin school in the Nursery whilst the remaining third attend other nurseries and join the school at the beginning of Reception Year. The school holds a number of awards including National Healthy School standard, Basic Skills award and Activemark. At the time of the inspection two classes were taught by temporary teachers.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms

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