May Bank Infants' School

Overview

May Bank Infants’ School is described as a “welcoming and friendly” environment where pupils are “happy and safe” and behave “exceptionally well.” The inspection highlights an “ambitious curriculum” and “high expectations” that support all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to achieve well.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate “excellent attitudes to learning” and “exemplary” behaviour, showing “emotional, social and academic maturity well beyond their years.”
• The early years provision is praised for “exciting and meaningful learning opportunities” where children quickly become “independent and confident learners.”
• Reading is a priority; staff are “very well trained” in the school’s approach, ensuring “most pupils are confident readers by the end of Year 1.”
• SEND pupils are “very well supported” through “careful scaffolding” and consistent approaches across the school.
• Character development is “exceptional,” with carefully planned trips and activities that “broaden pupils’ horizons” and teach about “differences and equalities.”

Areas to improve

• In some foundation subjects, the curriculum is “not as sharply planned and sequenced,” meaning it does not develop pupils’ knowledge and skills “as securely.”
• Leaders should ensure the curriculum “precisely identifies what pupils should know” so that work helps them “know and remember more over time.”

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with an “open culture” and well-trained staff, though inspectors noted “minor administrative errors” in recruitment checks which were promptly rectified.