Central Street Infant and Nursery School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

There is a strong sense of community in this school. Pupils experience an ethos of care, kindness and calm.

Pupils trust the adults in the school and know that they are there to help them. Pupils feel safe and know that it is important for them to help other pupils feel safe too. They look for opportunities to help each other in classrooms and around school.

Pupils talk about how important it is to have 'kind hands, kind feet and kind words'. Pupils talk about the school 'promises' and how these help them to make good choices in classrooms and about how they treat other people. They understand that all people deserve to be treated equally.

Bullying rarely hap...pens in this school. Pupils recognise what bullying is and what it is not. They know that if bullying did happen, adults would sort it out.

Some pupils who find behaviour more challenging are skilfully supported. Pupils move around school calmly. Relationships between adults and pupils are respectful and positive.

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

Leaders have created an ambitious curriculum for pupils. In foundation subjects such as geography, pupils build their knowledge during units of work to answer 'Big Questions'. Leaders have thought carefully about the knowledge pupils need to build over time to be able to answer these questions.

Within Year 1 and 2, this sequencing and progression of learning is clear. Staff have received training to deliver subjects in consistent ways. These approaches help pupils remember what they have been taught before and build their learning over time.

For example, in mathematics, teachers use different physical resources to help pupils understand the value of number. Subject leaders have a strong sense of how well the subjects they lead are being taught in different year groups. Subject leaders are less clear about how children's experiences in the early years support them in their future learning.

Leaders have made the teaching of reading a priority. They have introduced a phonics curriculum, which is taught with consistency. Pupils are given books to read which closely match the sounds that they have been taught.

Pupils who need help with reading are quickly identified and supported. Pupils enjoy regular story times. They talk with enthusiasm about the books that teachers read to them.

Children in the early years do not experience a curriculum which prepares them well enough for the next stage of their education. They are taught a clear phonics curriculum and develop a strong understanding of number. However, the curriculum in other areas of learning is not clearly enough defined.

Leaders are actively developing the curriculum in these areas and know that this work needs to continue and be concluded swiftly.

Pupils develop a strong sense of respect and kindness. They understand how to recognise difference and are positive about how different people should be treated the same.

Pupils enthusiastically talk about books from their reading corner that promote recognition and celebration of the different people within society. Older pupils are able to talk about differences such as disability, race and different family structures. Assemblies are used to support pupils to understand themes, such as friendship.

There is a wide range of opportunities for clubs and activities within and beyond the school day that are enjoyed by pupils.

There are clear systems for identifying pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The special educational needs coordinator works closely with parents, teachers and pupils to incorporate their views into the individual plans of pupils with SEND.

Pupils within the resourced provision are well supported. They experience a curriculum which meets their individual needs. Leaders make sure that these pupils have carefully considered and appropriate opportunities to integrate with their year group peers.

Governors have strong systems in place to ensure that they have an understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the school. They understand that their role is strategic rather than about the day-to-day operation of the school. Leaders have been creative in the ways they are facing the challenges of working in a small school as part of a federation.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

There are clear and well-understood systems for staff to report concerns. There are regular training opportunities for staff.

Leaders check staff understanding of safeguarding. Leaders undertake analysis of safeguarding incidents. All adults understand their role in creating a culture of safeguarding within the school.

Pupils and families who need support are quickly identified. Leaders show tenacity when accessing support for families from external agencies and professionals when it is needed. Pupils are given the knowledge they need to help them to keep themselves safe.

For example, they understand concepts such as safe touch, privacy, and consent.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The early years curriculum in some areas of learning is not clearly enough defined. As a result, the support staff give is not consistently precise.

Opportunities are sometimes missed to identify children in danger of falling behind their peers. Children are not as well prepared in some areas of learning for the next stage of their education. Leaders should ensure that the curriculum in the early years is carefully considered and sequenced in all areas of learning to provide a strong foundation for what they will learn in key stage 1.

Subject leaders do not have a clear enough understanding of how the areas of learning within the early years curriculum provide a strong foundation for what they will learn in key stage 1 and beyond. As a result, children's foundational experiences in some subjects are not as relevant or beneficial as they could be to their future learning. Leaders should support subject leaders in understanding what knowledge children will gain in the early years that will help them in their subject in key stages 1 and 2.