Manor Infant School

Overview

The inspection found that pupils have not recently received the high-quality education leaders know they deserve, resulting in a ‘Requires improvement’ judgement for overall effectiveness. However, the report highlights ‘early signs’ of improvement in well-established curriculum areas and praises the school’s strong emphasis on pupil well-being and kindness. Leaders are actively working with the local authority to address these shortcomings and design a more coherent curriculum.

Strengths

• Pupils’ personal development is a strength, with a focus on emotional well-being, health, and respect for differences.
• Behaviour and attitudes are rated ‘Good’, with pupils demonstrating kindness and helping each other.
• In well-developed subjects like mathematics and science, the ‘well-planned curriculum’ is starting to show impact, helping pupils retain long-term knowledge.
• The governing body is receiving training to better understand statutory duties and provide ‘helpful support and challenge’.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure intended learning is identified equally well across the whole curriculum, as some areas lack clarity and purpose.
• Staff require further training in phonics to ensure all adults can provide expert help to pupils struggling with reading.
• Lesson activities must be closely matched to intended learning so pupils understand and remember what they have learned.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.