Hamstel Infant School and Nursery

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school. Children have a successful start to school in Nursery and Reception.

They make good progress, which continues through Years 1 and 2. Teaching is typically good, and there are some examples of outstanding practice. Teachers and teaching assistants clearly show high expectations for pupils' learning and behaviour.

Teachers set demanding tasks that are well suited to pupils' abilities and learning needs. Pupils who have specific learning and behavioural needs benefit from good individual guidance and support. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school.

In some lessons, their attitudes to learning and behaviour are outstand...ing. Pupils feel safe and very well cared for by staff. The headteacher provides strong leadership and successfully drives improvement.

Other key leaders also make a valuable contribution to raising achievement and improving teaching. Pupils enjoy an interesting range of learning activities, and outdoor learning is a particular strength. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Not enough teaching is outstanding.

Teachers do not always make the most of opportunities to extend pupils' vocabulary and speaking skills. Marking does not always clearly show pupils how to improve their work. Learning is sometimes directed too much by the teacher, so pupils have insufficient opportunities to plan and organise their own work.

Although it has improved recently, attendance is generally below average.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average-sized infant school. Most of the pupils are White British.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is above average. The proportion supported through school action plus or a statement of special educational needs is also above average. An above-average proportion of the pupils are supported by the pupil premium, which provides additional funding for pupils in local authority care, those known to be eligible for free school meals, and those with a parent in the services.

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