Grange Lane Infant Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at Grange Lane are kind, welcoming and polite. This can be felt as soon as you walk through the door. Pupils look after each other.

They show high levels of respect to each other and all adults, including visitors.

There is a clear passion from leaders and staff to give pupils a wide range of opportunities and experiences. This ensures that pupils, including those with special educational needs/and or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged, experience success.

This creates a highly inclusive culture. As a result, pupils get off to an excellent start to their education.

Adults demonstrate the highest levels of care for pupils.
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Parents agree with this. Pupils of all ages thrive in this nurturing school. Pupils told inspectors that their school is a kind place to be.

One pupil, representing the views of many, said, 'If we ever have a worry, teachers are caring and fix the problems or worries that we have.' Most pupils say that there is no bullying in the school. If there is, staff deal with it swiftly.

Pupils benefit from carefully chosen experiences that build their understanding of the world around them. These experiences develop their social conscience and understanding of modern Britain. Pupils are proud to be leaders in the school, including on the school council or as eco-warriors or reading ambassadors.

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

Exceptionally strong leadership ensures the success of pupils at this school. Leaders have set an ambitious vision. They ensure that pupils experience an aspirational curriculum.

This includes disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND. The curriculum is designed to give all pupils the knowledge, values and life skills they need to be successful in the future. Staff understand the needs of individual pupils, including those with SEND.

They make sure that pupils who need it get extra support to help them achieve well.

Leaders have ensured that reading is a high priority. Children get off to a flying start in learning to read in the early years.

Training has ensured that all staff have the expertise to teach phonics well. Pupils read books that accurately match the sounds they already know. Pupils who struggle with their phonic knowledge get the help they need to catch up quickly.

As a result, pupils develop fluency and accuracy in reading. Teachers share books with pupils every day. The whole school environment promotes a love of reading.

Pupils confidently share opinions and thoughts about a range of interesting texts.

The ambitious early years curriculum lays strong foundations for Year 1 and beyond. Children in the early years are engaged in hands-on experiences.

All activities are carefully considered to build children's knowledge over time. Adults interact purposefully with children to develop their vocabulary and deepen their understanding. Teachers provide children with opportunities to practise writing in all areas of the provision, both inside and outside.

Parents appreciate being involved in school life from the beginning of their child's time at the school. This builds strong relationships with children and their families.

High expectations of pupils' behaviour ensures that all pupils feel happy, safe and well cared for.

Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. Pupils follow the golden rules of 'We are gentle, we are kind and helpful, we look after property, we are honest, we listen.' The many rewards on offer, such as 'golden tickets' and 'applause on the doors', motivate pupils to do their best.

Children from the early years upwards quickly learn the routines and expectations of how to behave in school. This creates highly positive attitudes to learning.

The high-quality personal, social and health education programme goes beyond what is expected.

Pupils flourish due to the rich opportunities that leaders make available to them. Even the very youngest children in Reception learn about careers. This means their learning is made relevant to the jobs they may choose in the future.

Pupils' learning is enriched by working towards the 'rainbow pledges', where they explore seven themes. Examples of these are citizenship, democracy and the environment. Pupils relish opportunities to take part in a wide range of clubs, which helps them to develop and pursue their talents and interests.

Staff make it very clear that they enjoy working at the school. They feel very well supported by leaders. They are appreciative of leaders' attention to their workload and well-being.

Leaders, including those from the multi-academy trust, make sure that all staff have access to high-quality professional development. Governors understand the strengths of the school and have the same high ambitions for pupils' outcomes. Parents are overwhelmingly supportive.

They recognise that their children do well at this school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Safeguarding leaders are relentless in their approach to supporting all pupils at this school to ensure that they are safe.

Work with external agencies is effective because leaders are not afraid to challenge them. All staff know families well, which leads to strong relationships. Families know that they will get the support they need.

Staff are knowledgeable about local issues, and this is built into the curriculum. The systems for reporting concerns about children are well embedded. Leaders respond quickly to any concerns about pupils' safety.

Pupils learn important life skills that will keep them safe. Children from the early years to Year 2 learn about many important themes. For example, pupils learn about good friendships, first aid and how to stay safe online.