Old Basing Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are full of enthusiasm for learning and proud to belong to Old Basing Infant School.

They arrive every morning, happy and eager to learn. Pupils love being active at playtime and enjoy the different clubs on offer at lunchtime and after school. Staff expect pupils to behave well, and they do.

In class and around the school, pupils behave sensibly. They are respectful of each other and their teachers.

Pupils feel safe and know that staff are always on hand to help and support them.

They are confident that any worries are quickly sorted out. Pupils find it difficult to recall any incidents of bullying or unkind behaviour. Staff know and value ev...ery pupil at the school.

Relationships are warm and nurturing. The school's 'Rights Respecting Education' curriculum helps pupils to learn about important rights for everyone. Pupils talk confidently about these, such as their right to be safe and have an education.

Leaders have a strong vision for all pupils to develop a 'love of learning for life'. They have high expectations and support pupils to achieve well. Pupils at this school get a good deal.

They leave the school confident, well prepared for junior school and excited to continue to learn about the wider world.

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

Leaders want every pupil to succeed. They have created an ambitious and interesting curriculum with staff.

The early years curriculum gives children a strong foundation on which to build in key stage 1. In most subjects, leaders have identified and sequenced the knowledge they would like pupils to learn and remember. However, in a minority of subjects, such as history, leaders have not yet identified precisely enough the most important knowledge pupils need to learn.

This means that staff are not always clear about the content they need to teach.

Subject leaders are enthusiastic and knowledgeable. They provide effective training to help teachers continually strengthen their subject knowledge.

Teachers are adept at helping pupils to understand and remember new ideas. They regularly revisit curriculum content. This helps pupils to remember and build on previous learning.

Teachers keep on top of how well pupils are getting on. On the whole, they bring to light and address any gaps in knowledge. However, on occasions, some teachers do not notice or address misconceptions in pupils' understanding.

This means that sometimes, they move pupils on to new learning too quickly.

Pupils love reading. They start learning to read as soon as they join the school.

Leaders have put in place a comprehensive phonics and wider reading programme. This gets pupils off to a great start in learning to read. Teachers use exciting books and poems to spark pupils' imagination.

Books are well matched to pupils' interests and abilities. In early years, stories are brought to life and woven through many different learning activities.

Children in the early years get a good foundation in mathematics.

Opportunities abound for them to develop their understanding of number. Pupils in key stage 1 continue to build their knowledge well through the school's well-planned mathematics curriculum.

Strong systems are in place for identifying pupils' additional needs or any barriers to learning.

Leaders have high aspirations for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Teachers support pupils with SEND well. They skilfully adapt activities.

Sometimes, they 'pre-teach' some important curriculum content so that pupils can engage fully in lessons. Pupils with SEND get just what they need to achieve well.

Personal development is a priority at this school.

Leaders have enriched the curriculum through a wide diversity of engaging stories. They have chosen these to reflect the school community and the wider world beyond the locality. These enrich pupils' experiences and understanding of difference and equality.

Pupils enjoy taking on extra responsibilities, for example by belonging to the pupil council or being one of the eco-warriors. The school's personal, social and health education curriculum and 'Heartsmart' programme is well considered. This enables pupils to learn about keeping safe online and how to look after their physical and mental health.

Leaders are mindful of staff's workload and well-being. They have prioritised the professional development of all staff. Staff are empowered by the autonomy they have and feel valued and lucky to work at the school.

Governance is strong. Governors are highly skilled, experienced and effective. They keep all aspects of the school under the spotlight and challenge and support leaders and each other.

Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school and appreciate leaders' dedication. They view the school as an important part of the local community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders have ensured that all staff have been trained so that they can fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities well. Staff are alert to any concerns and pass on any issues swiftly to leaders. Leaders know pupils and their families well.

They make sure that when needed, they get the help that they need. However, some aspects of leaders' record-keeping are not as tight as they need to be, including their actions when additional information has come to light. Governors maintain very close oversight of safeguarding arrangements.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Leaders' curriculum planning is not yet precise enough in a minority of foundation subjects. As a result, staff are not always completely clear about what pupils need to learn and remember. Leaders need to ensure that they identify the essential knowledge pupils must learn in each subject and that it is sequenced logically so that pupils can build their knowledge cumulatively.

• Sometimes, teachers move on to new learning before pupils are ready. This risks embedding any gaps or misunderstandings. Leaders need to ensure that all staff understand common misconceptions and carefully and consistently check pupils' understanding.

• Some aspects of leaders' safeguarding record-keeping are not as tight as they need to be, including recording their actions when additional information has come to light. This risks important information being inadvertently overlooked. Leaders must ensure that records are clear about any safeguarding concerns and the actions taken, including their contact with outside agencies.

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