Lansdowne Infant Academy

Overview

Lansdowne Infant Academy has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” This ungraded inspection confirms that the school continues to provide a high-quality education, with pupils who are “happy to come to school and enjoy their learning.” The school successfully embeds its core values, fostering a positive environment where children behave with consideration and are proud of the school’s diversity.

Strengths

• The reading curriculum is “consistent and effective,” with a well-embedded phonics scheme that helps pupils progress towards becoming “fluent readers.”
• Mathematics teaching ensures “fundamental knowledge around number is introduced” early, allowing pupils to successfully tackle more complex learning as they advance.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities have their needs “accurately identified,” and teachers adapt the curriculum effectively to help them achieve well.
• The school places “personal development at the heart of its provision,” offering enriching experiences such as clubs, visits, and charity days to bring learning to life.
• Leaders and governors work together effectively, with staff feeling supported and mindful of workload concerns.

Areas to improve

• The school must continue to refine its strategy to improve attendance, as “too many pupils are absent from school too often,” causing them to miss significant learning.
• Teachers should ensure that “pupils’ understanding is consistently checked” to address misconceptions and move learners on to more challenging work in a timely manner.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”