Copthorne Community Infant School

Overview

The report states that the school “requires special measures” because it is “failing to provide an acceptable standard of education” and leaders lack the capacity to secure necessary improvement. While safeguarding standards are met and pupils’ personal development is praised, significant weaknesses in teaching, curriculum, and attendance mean pupils “do not achieve as well as they should.”

Strengths

• Leaders provide a “positive and well-designed personal development programme” that effectively supports wellbeing.
• Pupils demonstrate “kindness and respect for their peers,” with bullying not being an issue.
• Staff promote “positive relationships” and ensure children are “safe and well cared for.”
• Pupils enthusiastically participate in clubs, trips, and activities, living up to the school’s motto.
• Parents and carers “typically endorse the school” and value the care their children receive.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must take “urgent action to improve the quality of the curriculum and teaching,” particularly regarding the early reading curriculum.
• Leaders should ensure all pupils develop “secure foundational knowledge and skills in English and mathematics” and become “fluent, confident readers.”
• Leaders and governors must take “suitable and timely action to deal with the areas of weakness” and raise overall attendance rates.

Safeguarding

The report confirms that “safeguarding standards are met,” noting that leaders have established an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns are actively managed.