Courthill Infant School

Overview

Courthill Infant School is described as a ‘wonderful school’ providing a ‘warm and nurturing environment for learning’. The inspection judged overall effectiveness as ‘Good’, with ‘Outstanding’ personal development, reflecting a strong ethos where pupils feel valued and safe. Leaders maintain high expectations, resulting in pupils who achieve well and display good behaviour.

Strengths

• Pupils’ personal development is ‘exceptional’, supported by enrichment activities like the ‘25 musts’ and community initiatives such as food banks.
• Staff provide ‘excellent pastoral support’, ensuring pupils feel ‘happy and safe’ and are ready to learn.
• Early reading is taught effectively; staff use phonics confidently, and interventions help pupils ‘catch up quickly’ with peers.
• The curriculum promotes respect and tolerance, earning the school the ‘Rights Respecting School’ gold award.
• Staff appreciate the training and focus on mental health provided by leaders, contributing to a positive workplace culture.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, learning is ‘not designed well enough’ to help pupils gain the necessary depth and fluency of knowledge.
• Leaders must ensure curriculum components are consistently connected so pupils, including those with SEND, can remember key knowledge.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with a strong culture where staff are well trained to notice concerns and leaders respond swiftly to support pupils and families.