Ellington Infant School

Overview

Ellington Infant School is confirmed as a ‘good school’ where pupils ‘love to learn and learn to grow’. The report highlights a ‘close-knit, caring environment’ with strong relationships between staff and pupils, who are described as happy, safe, and eager to contribute. Leaders demonstrate high expectations and a clear commitment to enriching the curriculum for all children.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from a well-planned curriculum with ‘ambitious learning goals’ that closely follows the national curriculum, ensuring essential knowledge is built upon year by year.
• Reading is prioritised through a new phonics programme; adults skilfully match books to sounds, resulting in many pupils reading with fluency and enthusiasm.
• Staff effectively use assessment to adapt learning and provide targeted support, ensuring pupils, including those with special educational needs, make strong progress.
• The personal development curriculum successfully raises aspirations, teaching pupils to manage emotions and understand different beliefs and relationships.
• Leaders and governors are ‘highly committed’ to improving outcomes, creating a positive culture where staff feel well supported.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure they set out the ‘essential vocabulary’ pupils need to learn in all subjects, starting from the early years, to help pupils confidently recall knowledge.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained to identify concerns, robust record-keeping, and a culture of vigilance supported by leaders who act quickly.