Merrydale Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Merrydale Infant School is a welcoming and friendly school. Pupils are really happy to be part of this school. One pupil, echoing the views of many, said, 'I love coming to school.

I miss it when I am not here.' Pupils say that they feel safe, and that staff care for them well.

Pupils learn to act kindly towards others.

Their manners are beautiful. Pupils act sensibly in classrooms and along corridors, even on a wet and windy day at school. They politely hold doors open for each other.

Staff are great role models. They show care for each and every pupil. This is most definitely 'one school with many strengths'.

The school is ambitious for al...l pupils to achieve their very best. Pupils live up to these expectations. In lessons, pupils try their best and work hard.

They strive to earn rewards, including the chance to be the 'star of the week'.

Many pupils profit from the range of extra-curricular clubs that the school provides. Particular favourites are gardening and cooking clubs.

Pupils are very proud to be school councillors. Younger children develop their understanding of responsibility through looking after Mary and Dale, the school guinea pigs.

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

The school has worked with determination to make rigorous improvements to the curriculum.

The coherent curriculum begins in the early years. The school has thought carefully about the order in which knowledge and skills are taught. The curriculum provides pupils with activities and information that enthuses them to learn.

The school ensures that pupils' learning activities are full of talk and the learning of new words.

In some subjects, the curriculum is very new. Some pupils have gaps in their learning.

This is because they have not been given sufficient time to revisit their previous learning. Where the curriculum is new, it is too soon to see the full impact on pupils knowing and remembering more in some subjects.

Pupils begin to learn to read as soon as they start the Reception Year.

Many of the foundations to prepare children for reading have already been laid in the Nursery. Reading is a high priority in the school. Children in the early years love practising their phonics.

Everyone works together well to develop pupils' accuracy and fluency. Pupils learn the sounds that letters make in a well-sequenced way. Pupils who need further support access extra interventions to help them keep up.

Children get off to a flying start in the early years. Staff help children in the Nursery and Reception classes to understand the school's routines and expectations. They build warm, supportive relationships with children, who adapt quickly to these routines.

Children learn to take turns and share. They are curious, happy, confident learners. In the early years, a strong focus on communication and language prepares children well for Year 1.

Inclusivity, respect and acceptance of difference are at the heart of this school. The school welcomes all children. The school has quickly identified how to best support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Staff make sure that these pupils get what they need to learn well.

Pupils behave well in class and during social times. They are respectful and kind to each other.

In lessons, pupils are engaged in their learning and can learn without distraction. The school has worked tirelessly to improve pupils' attendance. However, too many pupils are regularly absent from school for lengthy periods of time.

These pupils are missing out on vital learning and are not achieving as well as they could.

The school provides pupils with a well-considered programme of opportunities and activities to enrich their wider development. For example, pupils enjoy visits to the theatre and love celebrating different festivals, such as Diwali.

Pupils learn important knowledge about looking after themselves and staying safe. The pastoral support is a real strength of the school. Parents and carers are just as important as the pupils here.

The school goes over and above to ensure pupils and their families receive support when needed.

Leaders are determined to improve the school further. They actively work with external professionals, such as the local authority.

This is having a positive impact and improvements have taken place rapidly. Governors are regular visitors to the school. They have a clear understanding of where the school is on its journey and the next steps it needs to take.

Staff are proud to work at the school. They value the consideration given to their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some subjects, the school does not ensure that pupils are given sufficient opportunities to revisit and practise the key knowledge that they have been taught previously. This means that they sometimes start to learn new concepts when their previous knowledge is not secure. The school should ensure that pupils are not moved on in their learning too quickly, so that they build on their prior knowledge and know and remember more in these subjects.

• Recent changes to the curriculum development for some subjects is still new. It is too soon to see the full impact on pupils knowing and remembering more in these subjects. The school should continue to implement their ambitious curriculums in their entirety and monitor the impact of the curriculums to improve pupils' knowledge over time.

• Despite the school's best efforts so far, too many pupils are regularly absent for long periods of time. This means that these pupils are missing out on vital learning and not achieving as well as they could. The school should continue to work with families to improve attendance and ensure that parents understand the importance of regular attendance in order for pupils to maximise their potential.

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