Burchetts Green CofE Infants’ School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils get off to a flying start at Burchetts Green CofE Infants' School. They enjoy coming to this small and nurturing school and they are keen to challenge themselves. Right from the start of Reception, children are highly motivated.

They excel both academically and socially. Pupils bubble with excitement as they talk about their adventures learning in the woods and explaining the significance of historical sites in the village. They learn to persevere if they find their work hard.

The school's values are deeply embedded, and pupils know and understand them. Pupils consistently display these values in their exemplary behaviour. They are kind, caring, play well with ...each other and make sure everyone feels included in their games.

On the rare occasions that pupils disagree they, and their parents, are confident that an adult will intervene quickly and effectively.

In this infant school, pupils enjoy a range of meaningful responsibilities and are passionate about their role on the school and eco-council. They benefit from the vast range of clubs and activities, including visits to a local farm, the weekly walk to school and science, technology, engineering and mathematics club.

Pupils leave this infant school confident, inquisitive and ready for their next steps in education.

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

Leaders have designed a highly ambitious curriculum for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers identify those in need of additional help quickly.

The school provides highly personalised support to ensure pupils' needs are met fully. Leaders have carefully selected the important information that they intend pupils to remember in each subject area. Staff are exceptionally well trained to put these plans into action.

All teachers present information in a way that is highly engaging. In lessons and over time, they check that pupils are remembering crucial information. They use this to plan for the next lesson, so that all pupils make great progress through the curriculum.

The carefully crafted curriculum design means that all pupils learn about the same topic at the same time but at an appropriate level. The 'buzz' of learning in this small school is infectious.

Leaders promote the development of pupils' language and vocabulary throughout their time at school extremely well.

Leaders have carefully trained all staff to develop interesting conversations using increasingly challenging vocabulary with pupils. Children in Reception are routinely encouraged to talk about what they are doing and to express their thoughts and ideas. All pupils learn to do this enthusiastically because they know that adults will value what they have to say.

Reading and learning to read is at the heart of the curriculum. All staff are highly trained to teach pupils to read and they do this with enthusiasm and care. Staff spot pupils who struggle with reading, making sure that they get the help they need to catch up.

Children learn to read from the start of Reception and the books that they take home are well matched to the sounds that they are learning. The school makes sure that parents are comprehensively trained to support their children at home. Pupils are excited to talk about their favourite books and the reasons why they enjoy them.

Pupils listen with eagerness and delight to a range of carefully selected books that are brought to life by the animated reading of staff. Pupils work together to create reviews for each book they encounter.

Children in reception have a wide variety of opportunities to explore early mathematics and learn very well.

Leaders have embedded a carefully crafted curriculum that means that children encounter number many times a day. Children delight in spotting and making their own repeating patterns. They are keen to share their ideas about number and they are inquisitive about how numbers relate to each other.

Leaders and those responsible for governance are passionate that pupils should develop a love of learning at Burchetts Green, and they do. As a result of this clear and compelling vision, staff design an exceptional range of clubs and wider curriculum activities that inspire the curiosity of the pupils. The carefully planned three-year cycle means that every pupil will take part in a Victorian Day, emerge into Narnia or journey through the jungle.

These elements work together to provide opportunities for pupils to become confident, thoughtful, and caring.

Staff are proud to work at the school. They appreciate leaders' devotion to their well-being and the support that they receive to develop professionally.

Trustees and the Oxford Diocese Schools Trust (ODST) have a very secure understanding of the schools' strengths and challenge leaders very well.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure that all staff receive regular safeguarding training and that the appropriate recruitment checks are completed.

All staff know how and when to report safeguarding concerns. Leaders encourage staff to record any concern, no matter how small. Leaders respond swiftly to concerns referring to external agencies when necessary.

Leaders in school and those from the wider ODST, ensure that processes are managed effectively, and pupils get the help that they need.Pupils learn how to keep themselves safe in different environments. For example, they learn river and road safety and how to keep safe online.