Northway Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at this highly inclusive and welcoming school.

The school is ambitious for all pupils. Everyone within the school and community want pupils to 'SHINE,' and they do. Everyone works together so that all pupils can achieve their very best.

Pupils are exceptionally happy, safe and love coming to school.

Pupils meet the high expectations set for them by staff. They succeed both personally and academically.

Strong, trusting and supportive relationships are based on mutual respect. Parents overwhelmingly agree. They speak positively about the school with comments such as, 'Truly a fantastic school with phenomenal staff always putting the child...ren first and helping them to SHINE.'



The school has exceptionally high expectations of behaviour. Pupils respond to these very well. The school's approach to 'Be safe, Be ready, Be respectful' is well understood.

Pupils have very positive attitudes to their learning. They enjoy their friendships and take care of one another.

Pupils benefit from a meticulously planned set of wider experiences alongside the academic curriculum.

These include visits to places of worship and a wealth of extra-curricular activities. This contributes to an inclusive and aspirational approach for all.

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

The school provides an exceptional quality of education.

Everyone involved in the school is determined that all pupils will succeed. The school has an unwavering commitment to provide the very best learning experiences. The school's work is drawn upon by other providers for guidance and the sharing of best practice.

The school provides an innovative and personalised 'SHINE' curriculum. Pupils and their needs are placed firmly at the centre of this curriculum. From the early years, children are immersed in a curriculum that sparks their curiosity and enables them to become confident and independent learners.

Subject leaders have considerable expertise. They have thought carefully about the knowledge pupils need to acquire to be successful learners. For example, in music the sequence of learning builds on what pupils know and can do very well.

Pupils successfully recall knowledge about musical notation and composers. Across a range of subjects, pupils progress exceptionally well through the curriculum.

The school prioritises reading.

There is a sharp focus on the development of children's language and communication skills. Classrooms are full of books. As a result, pupils read widely and often.

Phonics is taught with careful precision and enthusiasm by staff. Pupils confidently apply their phonics knowledge when reading. For those who struggle or have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), prompt and highly effective support means no child is left behind.

Pupils develop a love of reading from the start. They talk confidently about books they listen to in class and about a range of authors. The reading curriculum has a strong impact on the quality of pupils' writing.

Pupils, including children in the early years, are able to use a wide range of vocabulary across the wider curriculum learning.

The school is a calm and purposeful place to learn. Pupils play and interact together with care both inside and outside the classroom.

The school has made deliberate decisions to offer pupils an extensive choice of games and activities at social times. Resources such as the toy shed, adventure trail and inspiring adult-led activities contribute to the positive environment.

Staff quickly identify barriers to learning for disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND.

They adapt learning to take account of individual needs so that all pupils can succeed. Staff know pupils well. The school's pastoral offer provides a balance of nurture and challenge so all pupils with SEND progress through the curriculum as well as their peers.

The school goes above and beyond to provide pupils with a wealth of experiences to support their personal development. Pupils learn to be creative, understand the wider world around them, take risks with their learning, and more importantly, be themselves. Meticulous planning of the curriculum enables pupils to seamlessly link their learning to the real world.

The careful consideration of knowledge supports their development in becoming model citizens. Pupils take on roles and responsibilities such as house captains and sports councillors at a young age. They are proud of the impact these responsibilities have on others.

Pupils have a good understanding of difference. They can explain why it is good to be different and show high respect towards others.

The school takes a well considered approach to staff professional development.

This is grounded in the needs of the pupils to have maximum impact on their learning. Staff describe themselves as 'reflective practitioners,' there to ensure all pupils can excel.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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