Elmlea Infant School

Overview

Pupils “flourish” at Elmlea Infant School, achieving “extremely well” within a community where they are “kind, respectful and eager to learn.” The inspection found that leaders have created a “broad and rich curriculum” that is “designed exceptionally well,” ensuring all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, receive an outstanding quality of education.

Strengths

• Staff possess “strong subject knowledge” and use it effectively to build pupils’ understanding, resulting in pupils who “learn exceptionally well across the curriculum.”
• Reading is highly prioritised; pupils read with “increasing fluency and accuracy” and staff “skilfully check pupils’ phonic knowledge” to quickly support those who fall behind.
• The mathematics curriculum is “ambitious,” with teachers providing “clear explanations” that enable even early years children to confidently describe patterns and older pupils to solve complex problems.
• Pupils demonstrate “exemplary” attitudes towards learning, showing high levels of independence and respect, while also developing their character through roles such as “eco-stars” and school council members.
• Leaders and governors are “not complacent” and “continuously strive for improvement,” robustly holding leaders to account while supporting staff well-being.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with leaders maintaining a strong culture where staff are trained to “spot the signs that may indicate a pupil is at risk and act quickly.”