Chilworth CofE (Aided) Infant School

Overview

Chilworth CofE (Aided) Infant School is described as a "vibrant village school" where pupils are "nurtured exceptionally well" and feel happy. The inspection highlights a "broad and ambitious curriculum" that builds sequentially, with staff demonstrating high expertise in teaching phonics and supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Strengths

• Pupils are "nurtured exceptionally well" by staff who understand their needs, creating an environment where children feel "happy and free to thrive".
• The early years provision is praised for offering an "excellent start to their school lives," with children becoming "deeply engrossed in meaningful play".
• Staff are "expert teachers of phonics," inspiring a love of reading and ensuring the majority of pupils read fluently by the end of Year 1.
• Personal development is strong, with pupils learning to be "responsible citizens" and developing valuable life skills through an "excellent programme for wider opportunities".
• Teachers use questioning effectively to help pupils "deepen their understanding" and make connections between different subjects.

Areas to improve

• In a "small minority of foundation subjects," teaching activities are "not as well matched to the intended learning as they could be," which sometimes limits pupils’ learning.
• The school should support staff to design work that enables pupils to achieve the school’s "ambitious aims" in every subject, ensuring tasks help gain a "deep understanding of the curriculum".

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."