Limes Farm Infant School and Nursery

Overview

Limes Farm Infant School and Nursery continues to be a good school, described as a "happy place to be" where pupils feel safe and develop positive relationships. Leaders have carefully sequenced the curriculum, with a strong focus on early reading and phonics, ensuring most pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), receive well-targeted support.

Strengths

• Pupils are "polite and welcoming," benefiting from a "calm atmosphere" and high behavioural expectations.
• Reading is a priority, with a "consistent approach" to phonics teaching that helps most pupils read fluently.
• The curriculum promotes cultural awareness through activities like a "diversity day" and PSHE lessons.
• Staff feel "very well supported" by leaders, with workload considered and clear systems for reporting concerns.
• Pupils with SEND access the same curriculum as their peers, supported by clear plans tailored to their specific needs.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must review the catch-up programme for a small number of pupils who are not catching up in reading fluency as quickly as they could.
• Early years leaders need training and time to develop skills in evaluating and improving the curriculum precisely.
• Leaders should provide training to ensure all governors have the skills to support and hold leaders to account effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders taking a "robust approach" and maintaining clear systems to report concerns.