Chester Park Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The headteacher leads by example.

He has an unwavering determination to ensure pupils achieve their full potential. His dedication and hard work have led to considerable improvements since the last inspection. Senior leaders have worked diligently to stabilise staffing.

However, some leaders are new to their roles and it will take time for the improvements they have made to teaching to become evident. Leaders form effective partnerships with parents and carers. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school.

Typical comments include, 'The school is fantastic and there is a real atmosphere of inclusivity.' Leaders have high ...expectations of staff. Staff enjoy working at the school and speak highly about the support leaders provide for them.

Adults form positive and caring relationships with pupils. Pupils trust adults in the school and feel valued and respected. Leaders work hard to ensure pupils attend regularly.

Punctuality has improved and, although attendance is variable, there are often justifiable reasons for this. Pupils are a credit to the school. They enjoy being at school and are polite, respectful and welcoming.

Pastoral provision and safeguarding are exceptionally strong. Adults are acutely aware of pupils' specific needs and provide bespoke support to help them. Effective teaching ensures that pupils make good progress.

However, several teachers are new to the school. Previous variations in teaching, especially in phonics and writing, are still being smoothed out. Early years provision is good.

Leaders use effective assessment to plan exciting activities to spark children's interest. Leaders have developed the outdoor area, which is a stimulating place for children to explore and in which to learn. Additional funding for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is improving pupils' progress.

However, progress is not yet consistently strong. Governors are committed to improving the school and make visits to check leaders' impact. However, they do not have a precise understanding of pupils' achievement.

This restricts how well they can challenge leaders. Pupils who speak English as an additional language (EAL) get off to a good start in their education, due to effective support. This helps them to make good progress.

Information about this school

The school is smaller than the average-sized infant school. The school federated with Chester Park Junior School in September 2018. Both schools share the same governing body.

In September 2018, the headteacher of the junior school was appointed as headteacher of the infant school. He now leads both schools. There have been several recent changes of teaching staff and leaders.

Leaders have elicited the help of the local authority and local leaders of education to support school improvement. Just over one third of the pupils are White British. Other pupils are from a range of minority ethnic backgrounds.

The school is in the top 20% of all schools for the proportion of pupils who speak EAL. There was a larger than average increase between 2017 and 2018 in the percentage of pupils who speak EAL. The proportion of pupils eligible for the pupil premium over the last six years has been above average.

The proportion of pupils receiving support for SEND is above that of pupils nationally. The percentage of pupils with an education, health and care plan is double the national average. Pupils in the school have the opportunity to attend the breakfast club in the junior school.