High Hazels Nursery Infant Academy

Overview

High Hazels Nursery Infant Academy continues to be a good school, characterised by a "positive culture" where pupils are "recognised and celebrated as individuals." Leaders are "passionate about improving life opportunities," fostering an inclusive environment where staff and families work together to help pupils "be the best they can be."

Strengths

• The curriculum clearly identifies key knowledge, with effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and strong expertise in phonics.
• Pupils feel safe and behave well, demonstrating respect for others and understanding that bullying is "being unkind to the same person over and over again."
• Leaders actively promote cultural understanding and character development through roles such as playground leaders and links with local faith groups.
• Staff appreciate support with workload and well-being, while governors and the regional director provide effective challenge and oversight.

Areas to improve

• In a small number of subjects, pupils struggle to connect new learning with prior knowledge; leaders must ensure all subjects allow pupils to "connect their knowledge and use it fluently."

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong safeguarding culture" where staff know how to raise concerns, though leaders recognise the need to adapt recording processes to ensure a "clear, identifiable timeline" of actions.