Dudley Infant Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Parents and carers told us that staff are kind, caring and dedicated. We agree. It is clear as soon as you walk into the school that pupils are happy here.

Pupils feel safe in school and enjoy their learning.

The principal expects all pupils to succeed and staff work hard to help this to happen. Teachers give good support to any pupil who is in danger of not keeping up with their learning.

This helps to make sure that all pupils learn well. By the end of Year 2, pupils are prepared well for their next school.

Pupils learn the importance of being part of a community.

They help in school and enjoy raising money to help local charities. Teacher...s make sure that pupils fully understand that bullying is wrong. Pupils show high levels of respect for each other and to adults, and they go out of their way to help one another.

They are determined to work hard and try their best. They keep trying, even when they sometimes find work difficult. Pupils behave exceptionally well.

This is a significant strength of the school.

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

The principal, supported by other leaders from the trust, has created a school where only the best will do. He makes sure that teachers do not get weighed down by unnecessary paperwork.

He gives them time to do their job well. This means that the quality of education continues to get better and better.

Leaders give reading a high priority in the school day.

Expert teaching means that phonics (letters and the sounds they represent) is well taught. Leaders keep a very close eye on how well pupils are doing. Teachers make sure that the books pupils take home help them to practise the letters and sounds they have already learned.

Adults give sensitive, thoughtful guidance when listening to pupils read. They encourage them to use their phonics knowledge to tackle words they are not sure of. As a result, all pupils get off to a good start with their early reading.

Leaders work hard to make sure that other subjects are taught well. The plans for most subjects show teachers what should be taught and when. This works really well in some subjects.

For example, in art, pupils learn how to repeat patterns, using different art materials. They use this knowledge to make sculptures after learning about the work of Andy Goldsworthy. Year 2 pupils build on their geographical knowledge to talk about the buildings after going on a walk around their school.

However, this logical planning is not fully in place for all subjects, for example computing.

Teachers usually adapt their subject plans well to take account of what pupils have already learned and make sure that pupils are able to complete activities in lessons. This ensures that most pupils learn well, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils.

However, when this is not the case, some pupils struggle to succeed. More training is needed to make sure that all teachers have the high level of skills needed to teach different subjects well.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary.

They show respect for others and have very positive attitudes. This is because all adults share the same high expectations of behaviour and routines are quickly established in the school. Pupils put a great deal of effort into contributing to the life of their school and local community.

Pupils benefit from lots of opportunities to develop the skills needed to become confident young citizens. For example, 'shore academy' encourages pupils to appreciate the wonders of the beach. They learn about pollution and the importance of charities, such as the lifeboats.

Reception staff work closely with parents. This helps children to settle smoothly into school. Adults successfully teach them how to make friends.

This helps the children to grow in confidence. Children behave very well. They play and learn happily.

They learn how to look after themselves, for example tidying up, and they learn how important it is to wash their hands before lunch.

Adults in the early years know what each child can do and what they understand. They mostly use this information well to make sure that children's understanding builds progressively.

By the end of Reception, children are ready to do well in Year 1.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders and staff take safeguarding very seriously.

All staff get up-to-date training. They know how to spot signs that pupils may be at risk. School records show that staff report their concerns to leaders appropriately.

Leaders act upon these straight away. Leaders overseeing safeguarding keep in close contact to make sure that nothing gets missed. They work closely with other agencies to help pupils and families get the help they need.

Adults teach pupils to share any worries they may have. Adults take the time to listen to them. This helps to keep pupils safe.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

The school has done much to review and improve the quality of education in reading, writing and mathematics. However, the school's curriculum is not yet sufficiently coherently planned and sequenced in some of the foundation subjects. Leaders need to ensure that the content of all subject plans is carefully ordered so that pupils build securely on what they already know and understand.

The curriculum is taught effectively overall. Most teachers make sure that pupils build their knowledge sequentially and securely. Leaders should make sure that all teachers have the subject knowledge needed to ensure that teaching is consistently effective.