Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery

Overview

Pupils are described as proud to attend the school, where staff warmly welcome them and prioritise their well-being. The report highlights that respect and kindness are central values, fostering strong relationships and a sense of safety. Leaders have established clear routines and high expectations that help pupils succeed, with particular praise for the ‘Outstanding’ early years provision.

Strengths

• The curriculum is ‘carefully designed’ and meets pupil needs, enabling confident use of ‘subject-specific terminology’.
• Early years provision is ‘Outstanding’, with children getting off to a ‘very strong start’ through ‘well-planned and purposeful activities’.
• Reading is a priority; staff ‘expertly deliver’ the phonics programme, helping pupils become ‘fluent and confident readers’.
• Inclusion is a priority, with staff using ‘well-developed strategies’ to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Pupils develop ‘strong understanding of difference’ and actively ‘celebrate diversity’, preparing them for life in modern Britain.

Areas to improve

• In a couple of subjects, the curriculum is ‘not as well implemented’ as intended, meaning pupils do not always learn as well as they might.
• For a small number of pupils with SEND, lesson adaptations are ‘not always matched to pupils’ needs’ because supporting targets are not precise enough.

Safeguarding

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