Hempstead Infant School

Overview

Hempstead Infant School continues to be a good school, providing a safe and happy environment where pupils are friendly, cheerful and respectful. The school fosters a culture of kindness and determination, with parents commending the strong support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Strengths

• Pupils flourish in a warm, respectful culture, showing kindness and a determination to succeed.
• The curriculum is broad and ambitious, with well-structured routines in early years and logically sequenced learning in subjects like physical education.
• Reading is prioritised through a well-considered phonics programme, with pupils achieving highly in national tests.
• Staff tailor learning effectively for pupils with SEND, and the school has strengthened its identification and support systems.
• Attendance has improved following effective measures, and pupils demonstrate a sound understanding of online safety and equality.

Areas to improve

• In a few subjects, the curriculum lacks precision, meaning staff cannot check with certainty that pupils have learned and retained key knowledge.
• Some staff lack strong pedagogical expertise in delivering reading and mathematics, requiring additional training to support pupils as effectively as others.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.