Herringthorpe Infant School

Overview

Herringthorpe Infant School provides a high-quality education where pupils are “incredibly proud” and thrive in a “welcoming and caring environment.” The school is praised for its “high ambitions” and exceptional provision for early years and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring all learners leave with a “rich and well-rounded body of knowledge.”

Strengths

• Early years provision is outstanding, with children quickly developing a “love and curiosity for learning” and strong personal and social skills.
• Behaviour and attitudes are outstanding; pupils demonstrate an “ambitious level of responsibility and independence” and act in a “calm and considerate manner.”
• Personal development is promoted exceptionally well, with pupils learning in depth about “diversity, tolerance and inclusivity” and speaking confidently about safety risks.
• SEND provision is a strength, featuring a “well thought through” approach that ensures pupils with complex needs work and play successfully alongside peers.
• Reading is a top priority, with phonics taught “consistently well” and additional support provided in a “timely manner” to help pupils become fluent readers.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, teaching for a small group of pupils does not build securely on prior knowledge, meaning their ability to “practise and apply what they know is not as secure.”
• Governors sometimes “over-rely on the school to inform them” on aspects of their work, leading to less effective challenge and accountability.

Safeguarding

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