Lorraine Infant School & Nursery

Overview

Lorraine Infant School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes a school where pupils “ooze enthusiasm” and benefit from a “well-designed curriculum” that builds knowledge over time. Leaders are clear about strengths and areas for development, with a strong focus on nurturing “confident, thoughtful and highly motivated learners.”

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate high self-esteem and strong speaking and listening skills, supported by an “unrelenting focus” on communication.
• Early reading foundations are solid, with “proficient and precise” phonics teaching ensuring most pupils acquire basic skills by Year 1.
• The updated mathematics curriculum has boosted confidence, with daily number practice helping pupils achieve well, particularly in younger years.
• Personal development is central, fostering a culture where pupils are “caring towards their classmates” and accept difference as the norm.
• Staff effectively adapt schemes for other subjects, using “overarching questions” to spark curiosity and deepen thinking.

Areas to improve

• The school should keep plans for teaching writing under close review, as pupils do not yet achieve as well in writing as in reading and mathematics.
• The school must embed revised policies to improve attendance, as too many pupils are absent without good reason, negatively impacting learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.