Bramble Infant School and Nursery

Overview

Bramble Infant School and Nursery has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection. The report describes a ‘nurturing, supportive and creative environment’ where staff demonstrate ‘genuine care for the children’s well-being, growth and education’. Pupils are happily settled, attend well, and benefit from an incredibly strong partnership with parents.

Strengths

• The school fosters pupils’ personal development and well-being, with ‘STAR’ values embedded in everyday life to help children manage their feelings and treat each other kindly.
• The ‘skilfully designed curriculum’ ensures pupils learn much more than basics, with projects in subjects like geography and science that fuel their ‘thirst for learning’.
• Teaching is ‘typically skilful’, with proficient phonics instruction and systematic support for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities.
• Most pupils acquire early reading skills by the end of Year 1, and mathematical understanding is developed well.
• The school celebrates its diverse community, with many home languages widely recognised and ‘Bramble Bookshelves’ cultivating understanding of sustainability and diversity.

Areas to improve

• The school should ensure it keeps a close eye on the implementation of plans to enhance pupils’ oracy and composition skills, as writing attainment is not yet as high as in reading and mathematics.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.