Chigwell Row Infant School

Overview

Pupils attend this school in a happy ‘family’ environment where they are ‘welcomed and included’. The report highlights a clear ambition to provide a high-quality curriculum that is right for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Following a previous inadequate rating, the school has undergone rapid improvement and no longer requires special measures.

Strengths

• Pupils ‘flourish’ in a caring environment, demonstrating high standards of behaviour and moving around the school calmly.
• The planned curriculum is taught well, with learning introduced in small steps and teachers helping pupils recall prior knowledge to build confidence.
• Early reading is well established, with most pupils quickly learning to read through precise interventions and exposure to high-quality books.
• Pupils with SEND receive adapted support, enabling them to learn alongside their peers as much as possible.
• Staff benefit from practical support for well-being, fostering a ‘strong sense of teamwork and commitment to a shared vision’.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure consistent checks are in place to identify gaps in teaching or learning, as systems to review effectiveness over time are ‘less well developed’.
• Efforts to secure regular, punctual attendance must be strengthened, as a small group of pupils are still missing too much time in school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.