Bernards Heath Infant and Nursery School

Overview

The inspection found that Bernards Heath Infant and Nursery School meets the "expected standard" overall, with "strong standard" ratings for inclusion and personal development. Leaders provide effective strategic guidance, fostering a culture where pupils feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. The school is described as having a positive atmosphere where staff are kind and caring, and pupils behave very well.

Strengths

• Inclusion is at the "heart of the school's culture," with leaders setting "high and ambitious expectations" for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.
• Personal development is "highly effective," with a "carefully sequenced programme" that helps pupils grow into "confident and resilient individuals."
• Pupils "love coming to school" and build "positive relationships" with staff who greet them with warmth.
• Reading is taught "particularly well," with staff showing skill in supporting phonics learning.
• Governors "use their skills and experience well" to support and challenge leaders, ensuring well-judged decisions.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should "embed highly effective teaching practice" to ensure the writing curriculum is taught consistently well across all year groups.
• Staff should use assessment information to check pupils’ understanding "precisely" and target support "consistently well."

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.