Dudley Infant Academy

Overview

Dudley Infant Academy has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The school is described as a “happy environment” where pupils feel safe, are warmly welcomed, and “achieve well across the curriculum.” Leaders have an accurate understanding of next steps, and the trust ensures staff well-being is supported.

Strengths

• Staff possess “secure subject knowledge” and explain the curriculum well, helping pupils build a “rich body of knowledge securely.”
• The school “prioritises reading,” with most pupils becoming “fluent readers” by the end of Year 2, supported by expert help for those who struggle.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive “expertly tailored support” and are “well prepared for the next stage in their education.”
• Attendance is closely monitored, with staff providing “support and encouragement” to help pupils overcome barriers to regular attendance.
• A “carefully designed character programme” and enrichment opportunities, such as visits to art galleries, help pupils “strive to live out the school’s values.”

Areas to improve

• The school must embed its approach to checking pupils’ understanding within lessons, as “routine checks of pupils’ understanding are not carried out consistently.”
• Teaching is “not always adapted in response to pupils’ needs,” meaning some pupils develop “gaps in their understanding” and do not attain as well as they could.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”