Alverstoke Community Infant and Pre-School

Overview

This is a “warm and welcoming place to learn” where pupils behave well and are kind to one another. The school provides an “exciting and ambitious curriculum” that meets individual needs, resulting in pupils who show “enthusiasm for learning” and achieve well. Leaders are described as “resolute in their drive to continue to improve educational standards.”

Strengths

• The programme for personal development is “exceptional,” with daily mindfulness sessions and expert pastoral care supporting pupils’ well-being.
• Pupils feel safe due to “trusted adults” and have a “detailed understanding of water safety” and other local risks.
• The curriculum is “broad and balanced,” well planned, and appropriately adapted for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Staff are “well trained” and use effective methods, such as technology and frequent checks, to help pupils learn required vocabulary and address gaps swiftly.
• Pupils quickly become “confident readers” through a structured phonics programme that recaps learning to commit it to long-term memory.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should continue to embed the new phonics scheme so that all staff have the expertise to deliver it effectively.
• In some subjects, planned activities do not always help pupils secure knowledge; leaders must ensure activities consistently build skills across the whole curriculum.
• Leaders are continuing to raise expectations to address the fact that a small number of pupils do not always focus consistently well.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.