Clarendon Infant School (Clarendon Federation)

Overview

Clarendon Infants’ School is described as a nurturing environment where “nurturing pupils’ well-being is at the heart” of provision, particularly supporting the high mobility of pupils from armed forces families. The school delivers a “good quality of education” with an “ambitious curriculum” that ensures new arrivals are not disadvantaged. While teaching in reading and mathematics is consistently effective, the report notes that instruction in other subjects is less consistent, limiting pupil progress in those areas.

Strengths

• Pupils receive “high-quality pastoral support” and learn strategies to manage their feelings, enabling them to focus on learning.
• The curriculum is carefully designed with key knowledge that is “revisited” to support pupils who join part-way through their education.
• Teaching in reading and mathematics is “consistently effective,” with subject leaders working alongside teachers to refine practice.
• Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is “highly effective,” allowing them to learn successfully alongside peers.
• Staff “thoroughly enjoy working at the school” and benefit from professional development opportunities that build confidence and skill.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must secure “consistent high-quality teaching in all subjects” to ensure pupils learn as well in other areas as they do in reading and mathematics.
• Governors need to develop their understanding of the school’s curriculum to effectively assure themselves of the quality of education, following the recent federation with the junior school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders maintaining a “very thorough understanding of the unique challenges their community faces” and working effectively with external agencies.