Finedon Nursery and Infant School

Overview

Finedon Infant School is described as a “caring and happy school” where pupils feel secure and valued. The inspection found that the school is “ambitious for all of its pupils to achieve,” resulting in strong outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Strengths

• Reading is a clear priority, with a “systematic approach to the teaching of phonics” and carefully selected books ensuring pupils receive timely support.
• The curriculum is “ambitious” and clearly sets out key knowledge, enabling teachers to impart information effectively and pupils to demonstrate “high levels of engagement.”
• Pupils with SEND are “well supported” through effective “personal provision plans” and targeted staff training, allowing them to thrive.
• Behaviour is excellent; pupils are “well-mannered, respectful and courteous,” and bullying is “not tolerated.”
• The early years provision is “well organised and purposeful,” with a “tight focus on developing children’s vocabulary and oracy.”

Areas to improve

• In “a few foundation subjects,” the school has not ensured “consistent opportunities to check how well the curriculum is implemented,” meaning some pupils struggle to make connections with prior learning.

Safeguarding

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