Croftlands Infant School

Overview

Croftlands Infant School is described as a "calm and friendly place to learn and play" where pupils are happy and behave well. The report states that the school is "ambitious for all pupils to achieve well," including those with special educational needs, and that they are typically "ready for their next steps in education" upon leaving.

Strengths

• Pupils "enjoy learning" and "try their best," benefiting from a broad curriculum enriched by experiences such as charity fundraising and educational trips.
• Reading is "prioritised across the school," with staff effectively delivering the early reading programme so pupils gain a "secure knowledge of phonics."
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "well supported to follow the curriculum" through appropriate teaching adaptations.
• The school communicates effectively with parents, providing regular updates that help them feel "confident when supporting their children’s learning at home."
• Leaders are "considerate of staff’s workload and well-being," ensuring new initiatives do not overburden employees.

Areas to improve

• In a few subjects, the "key knowledge that children and pupils should gain is not as clear," preventing some pupils from developing detailed understanding.
• Assessment strategies in a small number of subjects are "underdeveloped," leading to uncertainty about prior knowledge and resulting in "gaps in some pupils’ learning."
• The school must ensure staff have "up-to-date training" in safeguarding and that safer recruitment checks are thorough and rigorous.

Safeguarding

The report states that "arrangements for safeguarding are effective," but notes shortcomings regarding up-to-date staff training and the rigour of safer recruitment checks.