Castleford Wheldon Infant School and Nursery

Overview

Castleford Wheldon Infant School and Nursery has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils are proud, behave very well, and demonstrate strong values such as resilience and empathy. Leaders have prioritised a well-sequenced curriculum that supports both academic progress and positive mental health.

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy learning, behave well, and use techniques like deep breathing to manage their emotions effectively.
• Staff have high expectations, and most pupils secure the key learning needed for their move to junior school.
• The phonics scheme is delivered consistently by well-trained staff, with all pupils needing extra help receiving it.
• Staff possess strong subject knowledge and support teaching practice through collaboration with other schools.
• The personal, social and health education curriculum is woven effectively throughout all subjects, embedding school values.

Areas to improve

• The writing curriculum does not provide enough opportunity for some pupils to practise and develop their writing skills, resulting in insecure outcomes.
• The school should continue to develop and review its writing curriculum to ensure improved pupil writing outcomes over time.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.