Lilliput Church of England Infant School

Overview

Lilliput Church of England Infant School is described as a ‘friendly, safe and nurturing school’ where the vision of ‘loving one another, respecting one another, serving one another’ guides daily life. Leaders ‘aim high’ and expect pupils to work hard, resulting in children who are ‘well prepared for junior school both socially and academically’ by the time they leave Year 2. The report highlights a positive culture where pupils behave well and engage enthusiastically in learning.

Strengths

• Early reading is central to the school’s work, with a ‘systematic phonics programme’ ensuring pupils read ‘fluently and accurately’ by Year 2.
• Leaders have designed a ‘well-thought-out curriculum’ with logical sequencing, particularly in mathematics where pupils ‘confidently talk about numbers’.
• Staff identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) ‘promptly’ and adapt approaches so they ‘achieve well from their starting points’.
• Pupils are given ‘meaningful opportunities to be responsible, respectful and active citizens’, such as organising charity events through the school council.
• The school provides engaging experiences beyond the curriculum, including tree planting and observing local wildlife, which pupils find ‘fun and exciting’.

Areas to improve

• In ‘a few wider curriculum subjects, teachers do not explicitly link what pupils already know with new learning’, preventing pupils from deepening their knowledge sufficiently. Leaders should ensure curriculum implementation allows for ‘deeper connections with their learning over time’.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with leaders prioritising safety, training staff to identify risks, and working closely with partners to minimise harm.