Fordingbridge Infant School

Overview

Fordingbridge Infant School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection. Pupils enjoy attending this “warm and happy school” where staff know them well and foster a “friendly and welcoming atmosphere.” The curriculum is ambitious, with pupils described as “curious and enthusiastic learners” who achieve well and are well prepared for their move to junior school.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate core values such as kindness and respect, creating a positive environment where they “learn to behave well” and play without disruption.
• The curriculum is “broad and balanced,” complemented by explicit teaching of ‘learning behaviours’ that help pupils, including those with SEND, approach challenges.
• Staff possess strong subject knowledge and use close monitoring to ensure pupils receive timely support, particularly in reading, writing, and mathematics.
• Leaders analyse information “forensically” to identify improvements, having successfully enhanced the teaching of reading and writing since the last inspection.
• Pupils benefit from a wide range of extracurricular activities and visits that help them “understand more about the world” and develop independence.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, teachers do not present key information clearly, and activity choices do not always match desired learning outcomes, hindering long-term recall.
• The school should ensure staff are supported to implement the intended curriculum effectively in these areas so pupils can learn and remember key information.

Safeguarding

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