Garrick Green Infant School

Overview

Pupils are described as “very happy” in a “nurturing environment” where they feel safe and valued. The school delivers a “rigorous and comprehensive curriculum” that fosters independence, confidence, and strong academic achievement, particularly in reading. Inspectors found that staff take good care of pupils, who are “kind and polite” and work well together as a team.

Strengths

• Pupils develop “strong knowledge and vocabulary” across subjects, supported by carefully chosen curriculums and effective teaching methods.
• Reading is a high priority; phonics is taught well from the start, and books reflect “modern Britain” to broaden pupils’ cultural understanding.
• The youngest children learn through play, developing concepts such as capacity through exploration and “careful questioning from adults”.
• Staff provide immediate guidance to help pupils avoid misconceptions, using games and drama to bring learning to life.
• The school places high emphasis on pupils understanding their own emotions, teaching them calming techniques like breathing methods.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure all pupils develop correct letter formation and the stamina required for producing high-quality written work, as current skills in this area are inconsistent.
• The school needs to ensure all staff receive the training and guidance required to support pupils with diverse needs, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), so support is consistently effective.

Safeguarding

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