Iver Heath Infant School and Nursery

Overview

Iver Heath Infant School and Nursery continues to be a good school, described as "friendly and welcoming" with "clear routines" that help children make a positive start. Pupils enjoy attending and are "enthusiastic about their learning," benefiting from high expectations and a "highly inclusive" environment where staff work hard to meet individual needs.

Strengths

• The curriculum in subjects such as mathematics is "well considered and sequenced," allowing all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to achieve well.
• Personal development is a strength, with pupils learning to manage emotions and understanding their rights, such as "to feel safe and respected."
• Staff care deeply about pupil well-being, fostering "trusting relationships" and ensuring pupils are equipped with skills for life beyond school.
• Governors provide "effective support and challenge for leaders," demonstrating a strong understanding of pupil achievement in English and mathematics.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure reading books match the sounds pupils have learned in class, as current mismatches prevent some from catching up quickly enough.
• In some foundation subjects, leaders need to specify the full range of key knowledge and skills so pupils’ understanding "consistently build[s] over time."
• Leaders need to continue work to improve attendance for pupils who are regularly absent, as persistent absence remains "stubbornly high."

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a high priority placed on keeping pupils safe through robust recruitment checks, timely referrals, and staff training.