Highfield Infants' School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are “happy and confident learners” who are “very proud of their school.” Leaders have established a culture based on “high aspirations for all pupils,” resulting in excellent behaviour and a “deep love for reading.” The inspection found the school to be highly effective across all evaluated areas, with staff delivering a cohesive and engaging curriculum.

Strengths

• The curriculum is “cohesive, well planned” and “deeply engaging,” with teachers using questioning skilfully to “address misconceptions well.”
• Reading instruction is precise, with a consistent phonics programme and the ‘VIPERS’ approach helping pupils “progress rapidly” in applying their knowledge of sounds.
• Mathematics lessons have a “well-defined focus,” with staff developing pupils’ reasoning skills by encouraging them to “prove and explain what they know.”
• Ambitions for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are high, with staff supporting them “extremely well” to achieve the same curricular end points as peers.
• The personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme is a strength, teaching pupils about British Values, keeping safe, and “managing their feelings.”

Areas to improve

The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with adults who “know and fulfil their duties and responsibilities” and leaders who are “tenacious in following-up cases with external agencies.”