Court Lane Infant Academy

Overview

Court Lane Infant Academy is confirmed as a "good school" following an ungraded inspection. The report describes it as a "happy and kind place" where pupils are "highly motivated to learn" and demonstrate "exemplary" behaviour. The school provides a high-quality education with strong outcomes in English and mathematics, supported by an "ambitious and interesting curriculum."

Strengths

• Pupils’ outcomes in reading and writing are "significantly above the average outcomes nationally," driven by a "clear and consistent approach to the teaching of phonics."
• Staff support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well, ensuring they are "fully included in school life" and can work alongside peers.
• Teachers use "precise vocabulary" and routinely check understanding, helping pupils build secure knowledge in core subjects.
• The school fosters a strong sense of community, with pupils showing respect and engaging in extra-curricular opportunities such as the choir and 'Eco-Squad'.
• Parents are "overwhelmingly positive," praising staff for being "passionate about their work."

Areas to improve

• In some foundation subjects, the school covers "too much content at the expense of pupils acquiring a depth of knowledge," meaning pupils do not always develop greater understanding over time.
• The school should "further refine the curriculum and prioritise the key content" to ensure learning is not compromised by breadth.

Safeguarding

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