Chapel End Infant School and Early Years Centre

Overview

Chapel End Infant School and Early Years Centre continues to be a good school, offering a "friendly and welcoming" environment where pupils feel safe and valued. The report highlights strong relationships rooted in kindness, with an "ambitious" curriculum that ensures pupils, including those with special educational needs, achieve well in core subjects.

Strengths

• Pupils describe teachers as "kind, fun and helpful," fostering warm relationships and a culture of "Caring, sharing and trying our best."
• The curriculum is "carefully sequenced" to build on prior learning, particularly in mathematics and early reading, where pupils develop fluency effectively from a young age.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn the same curriculum as their peers, which is adapted "skilfully" to meet complex needs.
• Behaviour is excellent, with incidents of bullying being "rare and dealt with quickly," ensuring pupils are safe and secure.
• Parents are "overwhelmingly positive," appreciating the "supportive and nurturing environment" created by leaders and staff.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should provide training and guidance for staff in teaching foundation subjects, as planning and assessment in these areas are "not as well embedded" as in English and mathematics.
• New subject leaders have not yet had sufficient time to review or implement their responsibilities, meaning opportunities for staff to develop expertise are "not consistently strong across all subjects."

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, characterised by a "culture of vigilance and care" where leaders and staff understand their responsibilities and are well trained to protect pupils.