Oaklands Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at Oaklands Infant School. Warm and supportive staff ensure pupils are well cared for. The school's ambitious curriculum offers a range of learning experiences to help pupils understand their place in the community.

Pupils rise to the school's high expectations and achieve well. From the early years, children are ready to learn. They become curious and confident individuals who persevere when faced with challenges.

Pupils behave well. When in the classroom, they demonstrate positive attitudes towards their learning. Pupils listen to instructions and follow them diligently.

They take pride in knowing the Oaklands behaviour code. However, this pos...itive behaviour is not consistent outside of the classroom.

Pupils enjoy coming to school.

Strong positive relationships help pupils feel safe and settle into the school quickly. From Reception, children learn to ask for help when they need it.

The wide range of opportunities on offer within the curriculum help pupils build their knowledge of the wider world.

They learn how they can make a difference. Pupils enjoy participating in activities such as raising money for charity and visiting elderly residents as part of their community award.

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

The school has implemented a well-designed curriculum.

From the early years, children develop the knowledge they need to build on previous learning. Leaders skilfully review and adapt the curriculum to meet the changing needs of the school's intake. This includes pupils with lower starting points who go on to achieve highly.

Pupils are well prepared for their next stage of education.

Pupils are confident when accessing their learning. They are curious and like to ask questions.

From Reception, this is fostered and encouraged. Staff use clear language to explain learning so pupils know what is expected. The school introduces new words and their meaning in each lesson.

This supports pupils, including the most disadvantaged, in grasping and applying language quickly. Staff have strong subject knowledge. They use effective questioning to check pupils' understanding.

They adapt teaching to meet pupils' needs. This supports pupils to master key knowledge and skills.

The school's phonics programme is well-developed.

Staff teach this with consistency, ensuring pupils have the best opportunity to learn to read. Pupils accurately use their phonics knowledge in their reading and writing. Staff quickly identify pupils who are not keeping up with the programme.

They put in place support to ensure pupils catch up and keep up with their peers. From Reception, a love of reading permeates through school. Children vote for the story they would like at the end of the day.

The reading curriculum enables pupils to become confident, fluent readers.

Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from high-quality learning. Staff are highly skilled at recognising pupils' needs and adapting the support as required.

Staff break down key knowledge so pupils with SEND can progress quickly to work on the same learning as their peers. Pupils who access 'the Lodge' provision thrive in this supportive, well-considered environment.

Pupils enjoy coming to school.

They like playing with their friends and taking part in playground games, especially dancing on the outdoor stage. The school has a secure oversight of pupils' attendance and high expectations of pupils to attend well. The school effectively supports families in improving attendance when needed.

As a result, attendance is high and persistent absence is low.

Pupils recognise it is 'their job to learn'. Their behaviour in the classroom is exemplary.

However, this does not continue when pupils leave the classroom. On occasion, when pupils do not follow the Oaklands code, they are not consistently corrected by staff around and about school. In these situations, some pupils do not make the right choices.

The well-developed personal development offer ensures pupils become well-rounded individuals. They learn that their voice matters. School trips and experiences ensure pupils make connections with their learning.

They learn about other religions and cultures and understand and value why it is important to respect differences.

Staff value the professional development opportunities that help them to support pupils even more effectively. Parents commend the school on the nurture and care staff show to pupils.

Governors and trustees know the school well. They ask detailed questions to ensure the school is providing a high-quality education.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• The school does not consistently make sure pupils follow the school's high expectations for behaviour outside the classroom. This results in some pupils not upholding the high expectations for behaviour they routinely follow when in class. The school should ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to consistently address any behaviour not in line with the school's high expectations.