Alumwell Infant School

Overview

Alumwell Infant School is described as a place where pupils are "happy, feel safe and enjoy their learning." The report highlights that staff have "strong relationships with pupils" and that the school’s values are evident through the care given. Since the previous inspection, the school has made "noticeable improvements" in teaching, particularly in reading and mathematics.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "ambitious and designed with the needs of pupils in mind," building "step by step in a logical order."
• Teachers have "good knowledge of the subjects they teach" and the curriculum is "taught effectively."
• The school prioritises reading, with a new phonics curriculum that starts "swiftly in Reception" and provides support for those who fall behind.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make "good progress from their starting points" through bespoke provision like the ‘rainbow room’.
• The personal, social and health education curriculum is "well structured," helping pupils understand how to stay healthy and safe.

Areas to improve

• Some teachers do not check pupils’ understanding systematically, meaning "misconceptions and gaps in knowledge are not addressed as quickly as they could be."
• There are "too many pupils who are absent and persistently absent from school," causing them to miss learning.
• Leaders do not always have a "clear strategic overview of all aspects of their work," limiting their understanding of where further improvement is needed.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."