Barwell Infant School

Overview

Barwell Infant School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. Pupils are described as ‘enthusiastic and cheerful’, demonstrating strong behaviour and positive relationships with staff. The school provides an ambitious curriculum and effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Strengths

• Leaders have designed a curriculum that is ‘ambitious for all pupils’, with careful planning of the order in which knowledge is taught.
• Teaching reading is of ‘utmost importance’, with a ‘well-structured phonics and reading curriculum’ that helps pupils ‘come to love reading’.
• Staff understand the needs of pupils with SEND well, adapting lessons so they can ‘work alongside their peers from the same curriculum’.
• The personal development offer prepares pupils well, helping them become ‘well-rounded individuals’ who show ‘respect for difference’.
• Governors are ‘aspirational for the school’ and effectively hold leaders to account.

Areas to improve

• In some lessons, the curriculum is not implemented as intended, with teachers failing to provide activities that meet the needs of all pupils.
• Teachers do not always make the most of teaching time, missing opportunities to extend learning or allow sufficient practice.
• Early years staff do not track which activities children engage in, preventing them from identifying who needs targeted support.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with leaders establishing a ‘strong culture of safeguarding’ and ensuring staff have the necessary training to spot and raise concerns.