Kingshill Infant School

Overview

Kingshill Infant School is described as a “friendly, welcoming school” where pupils enjoy learning in a “very inclusive environment.” The inspection highlights an “ambitious new curriculum” designed by senior leaders, with a strong emphasis on developing pupils’ language and communication skills from the early years.

Strengths

• Leaders and staff set “high expectations” while being “kind and nurturing,” ensuring pupils feel “safe and happy.”
• The curriculum is “rich in vocabulary” and carefully sequenced so that new learning builds on previous knowledge.
• There is a “strong focus on kindness and well-being,” supported by mindfulness sessions, a nurture club, and a therapy dog.
• Staff promote a “love of reading,” with pupils listening to stories daily and using a phonics programme to develop fluency.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well integrated with their peers” and access the same curriculum.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should address “inconsistencies in the delivery of phonics sessions” and ensure all pupils have equal opportunities to orally rehearse sounds.
• Leaders have plans to improve the “extensive outdoor area” so that all resources support learning as effectively as possible.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that staff are trained to identify concerns, record-keeping is rigorous, and pupils are confident that adults will keep them safe.