Mengham Infant School

Overview

Mengham Infant School is described as a "warm and welcoming" institution where pupils feel a "secure sense of belonging" and are "well prepared for future learning." The report highlights "high-quality interactions" and effective support for vulnerable pupils, noting that leaders have a "clear, well-informed understanding" of the school’s context. While most areas meet the expected standard, early years provision is rated at a strong standard.

Strengths

• Early years provision is a "strong standard," with staff building "warm, trusting relationships" that help children settle quickly and feel "safe and valued."
• Inclusion is rated at a "strong standard," with "highly effective systems" to identify needs early, ensuring pupils with SEND access the curriculum successfully.
• Staff deliver phonics with "precision," enabling children to develop confidence in reading and make "rapid gains in writing."
• Pastoral care is a strength, with staff providing "effective, tailored support" and bespoke wellbeing programmes that contribute positively to pupil wellbeing.
• Pupils treat one another with "kindness and respect," contributing to a "calm and supportive environment" where bullying is "extremely rare."

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure the teaching of spelling, punctuation, and grammar is "consistently embedded" so pupils’ writing is accurate.
• Attendance strategies must continue to develop to ensure attendance is "consistently high," particularly for pupils facing barriers.
• Participation in extra-curricular activities should be raised to ensure it is "consistently high across all pupil groups."

Safeguarding

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