Healdswood Infants' and Nursery School

Overview

Healdswood Infants' and Nursery School is described as a place where "care, support and nurture are abundant," with pupils enjoying a strong sense of belonging and positive relationships. While the early years provision is praised as a "captivating home-from-home environment" and behaviour is consistently positive, the report identifies that some pupils are not developing essential literacy skills or attending school regularly enough.

Strengths

• The early years provision creates a secure environment where staff use "high-quality interactions" to extend thinking and support language development.
• Pupils demonstrate "consistently positive behaviour," showing respect for one another and pride in their school community.
• The school offers a "rich and thoughtfully designed personal development offer" that fosters respect, diversity, and community involvement.
• Inclusion is evident in daily practice, with "bespoke support" ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities thrive alongside peers.
• Staff morale is high, with a "collaborative and supportive environment" and strong trust from parents and carers.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure teaching consistently addresses errors in writing, spelling, and handwriting to help pupils secure vital literacy skills.
• Actions are required to improve pupil attendance and reduce high rates of persistent absence, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
• Leaders need to strengthen oversight to ensure improvements in achievement and attendance happen more rapidly.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed to keep pupils safe.