Maidenbower Infant School and Nursery

Overview

The report describes an “exceptionally nurturing environment” where pupils feel safe and are “well known by staff.” Leaders have driven significant improvement since the previous inspection, resulting in high expectations for achievement and a “harmonious atmosphere” characterised by kindness and respect.

Strengths

• Staff provide “expert care” and pupils are “fully included” in school life, with older pupils actively supporting younger ones.
• The curriculum is constructed so that learning takes place in a “logical order,” and staff “explain new learning well.”
• Early years provision is outstanding, with staff managing activities with “great skill” and pupils achieving “outstandingly well” by Year 1.
• There is a “strong focus on reading,” supported by a phonics programme that helps pupils become “confident readers.”
• Governors are “assiduous in holding the school to account,” gathering “rich evidence first hand” to monitor the school’s work.

Areas to improve

• Some checks on pupils’ understanding “do not accurately identify gaps and misconceptions,” meaning some pupils are moved on before they are ready.
• The school should ensure staff have the expertise to “identify and address gaps and misconceptions in pupils’ knowledge” to secure learning effectively.

Safeguarding

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