Westbury Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Outcome

Westbury Infant School continues to be a good school.

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils are happy and enjoy school. They are kind, friendly and play well together.

Pupils learn well across a range of subjects. They enjoy the roles they have to become school councillors. Pupils say that these roles help them to develop their confidence and independence.

Staff have high expectations for pupils' behaviour. They make sure all pupils understand right from wrong and what they need to do to improve their behaviour. Staff deal with any disruptive behaviour straight away.

Pupils say that bullying is rare. They are confident that when they report a problem, staf...f deal with it quickly.

Pupils feel safe.

Relationships between staff and pupils are positive. Leaders place a strong emphasis on supporting pupils' social and emotional well-being. Pupils value the trips they go on.

They enjoy assemblies and listening to visitors. They say that this helps them learn to stay safe and build healthy relationships.

Many parents recognise and praise the school's work.

They talk positively about the way staff help children to thrive emotionally and academically. One parent said, 'the school is a lovely community school that sets learning at the heart of their ethos'.

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

Leaders have high expectations for what pupils can achieve.

They have created a curriculum that is designed well. Leaders have carefully considered what pupils need to know and when they need to know it.

Leaders prioritise reading.

They carefully consider the books adults read to pupils. Pupils say that teachers make reading exciting. As they move through the school, pupils fluently and accurately read books that interest and challenge them.

Leaders have recently revised the school's phonics programme. All staff benefit from the training they receive to teach phonics well. Children begin phonics as soon as they start school.

They develop their language skills and learn early sounds well. If pupils fall behind, they receive the support they need to help them to catch up quickly.

The mathematics curriculum is well planned and carefully sequenced.

This starts in the early years. Staff develop children's mathematical vocabulary from an early age. They encourage children to talk about and use their knowledge of early number.

Children respond well to this. They use their early number knowledge well when counting to 10. As they move through the school, pupils deepen their knowledge and understanding.

Teachers present new learning clearly. They check on what pupils know and can do through the use of 'Flashback 4'. This enables pupils to use their understanding and knowledge of mathematical concepts well to tackle more-complex problems.

Assessment systems are well embedded in both reading and mathematics. However, assessment is in the early stages of development in some wider curriculum subjects. Some subject leaders do not have the assessment information they need to assure themselves that the curriculum is helping pupils to build their knowledge well over time.

Some pupils have gaps in their learning. This hampers the progress they make.

Leaders are ambitious for what pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can achieve.

Staff know pupils well and ensure they receive the support they need. This is particularly the case with pupils with social and emotional needs. Staff adapt learning well.

As a result, pupils with SEND access the full curriculum.

Leaders create a culture where everyone cares and supports one another. Pupils understand the importance of treating others with respect.

The school is calm and orderly. This starts in the early years. Children follow routines well.

They take turns and listen carefully to adults.

Leaders support pupils' personal development well. Pupils know how to look after their mental and physical health.

They understand the qualities of a good friend. Pupils learn about different faiths and cultures. They know how the school values of 'respect', 'teamwork', 'friendship' and 'excellence' help them develop into respectful young citizens.

Leaders are ambitious for the school's future. Staff and leaders work well together. They appreciate the way in which leaders consider their workload.

Staff are proud to work at the school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

Leaders ensure it is everyone's responsibility to keep pupils safe.

Staff use training well to help them recognise pupils that might be at risk. Staff are vigilant. They report and follow up safeguarding concerns promptly.

Leaders know their vulnerable pupils and families well. They work well with other agencies to ensure they receive the early help they need. Leaders carry out appropriate checks on the suitability of staff to work with pupils.

Through the curriculum, pupils know how to stay safe, including online. They are confident to ask for help from adults if they have concerns.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• Assessment is not used effectively in some foundation subjects.

As a result, pupils have gaps in their knowledge. Leaders must sharpen the use of assessment in the foundation subjects, so they know that pupils are gaining and retaining the knowledge they need.

Background

When we have judged a school to be good, we will then normally go into the school about once every four years to confirm that the school remains good.

This is called an ungraded inspection, and it is carried out under section 8 of the Education Act 2005. We do not give graded judgements on an ungraded inspection. However, if we find evidence that a school would now receive a higher or lower grade, then the next inspection will be a graded inspection, which is carried out under section 5 of the Act.

Usually this is within one to two years of the date of the ungraded inspection. If we have serious concerns about safeguarding, behaviour or the quality of education, we will deem the ungraded inspection a graded inspection immediately.

This is the first ungraded inspection since we judged the school to be good in February 2017.

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