Hollybrook Infant School

Overview

Hollybrook Infant School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes it as an effective school with very high expectations, where pupils achieve well and feel a strong sense of belonging. Leaders have a clear vision, and staff work cohesively to put pupils’ interests at the heart of decisions.

Strengths

• Pupils behave extremely well, attend regularly, and demonstrate high levels of respect and kindness.
• The school has developed an ambitious, carefully sequenced curriculum that ensures pupils, including those with SEND, achieve well.
• A strong reading culture exists, with a phonics programme delivered with precision, helping pupils become confident and fluent readers.
• Staff secure strong, nurturing relationships with pupils and provide effective support for emotional well-being and resilience.
• Pupils benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities, such as visits and clubs, which help build skills beyond the classroom.

Areas to improve

• The school should ensure staff have the knowledge and skills to select appropriate activities and explain subject content effectively, as there are inconsistencies in curriculum delivery.
• Staff explanations and activities occasionally do not link closely enough to the intended curriculum, meaning pupils do not deepen their knowledge as well as they should.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.