Marwood Church of England Voluntary Controlled Infant School, Great Ayton

Overview

Marwood Church of England Voluntary Controlled Infant School provides an education that meets the expected standard, with personal development and wellbeing rated at a strong standard. The report highlights a "coherent and well-designed" curriculum where pupils are "treasured by the staff" and achieve well, though inconsistencies in teaching and assessment require attention.

Strengths

• Personal development is a "strong standard," with pupils inspired to support local and international causes and demonstrating an understanding of "fundamental British values."
• Attendance is "above national figures," with persistent absence remaining low and parents responding positively to leaders' promotion of good attendance.
• Leaders have strengthened the teaching of phonics, resulting in improved outcomes in national screening checks and helping pupils become "fluent readers and writers."
• The curriculum is "broad and balanced," enriched with "high quality and diverse texts," and includes rich experiences such as outdoor learning and community events.
• Inclusion is a priority, with skilled staff providing "precise and targeted support" for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities from their first days.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must strengthen strategic oversight of attendance, behaviour, and support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities to secure rapid improvement.
• Teachers should use assessment more effectively within lessons to "quickly identify and address misconceptions and gaps in pupils’ knowledge."
• The early years curriculum requires refinement to include "precise expectations for how children’s vocabulary should be developed" and to ensure staff consistently support children to sustain focus.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns actively identified and managed.