Carlyle Infant and Nursery Academy

Overview

Carlyle Infant and Nursery Academy is confirmed as a good school, described as an "inclusive and friendly" environment where pupils "believe, achieve and succeed." Leaders have developed an "ambitious curriculum" with strong expertise in teaching phonics and mathematics, ensuring pupils build confidence and knowledge effectively.

Strengths

• Pupils feel safe, happy, and know who to talk to if they have worries, with staff demonstrating high expectations for behaviour.
• Reading is a priority; staff have "high levels of expertise in teaching phonics," and pupils quickly learn to read fluently with a "love of reading."
• The mathematics curriculum uses a "systematic approach" that builds learning over time, with teachers addressing gaps in understanding.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities learn well alongside peers, with teachers adapting lessons effectively.
• A wide range of activities, such as "rock steady" bands and gardening, enriches pupils' time at school and celebrates their talents.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must reduce persistent absence, as too many pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and boys, miss school and fall behind.
• In some foundation subjects, teachers do not choose the most appropriate activities, resulting in pupils not remembering as much of the curriculum as they should.
• Leaders need to develop a consistent approach to assessing pupils’ learning in foundation subjects, as checks are currently less consistent than in core subjects.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, underpinned by a strong culture where staff are swift to act on concerns and work effectively with external agencies.