Millfield First and Nursery School

Overview

Millfield First and Nursery School is judged ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, maintaining high standards since its previous ‘Outstanding’ rating. The report highlights a school where pupils display positive attitudes, such as ‘respectful, determined, proud’, and benefit from a curriculum that adapts to their changing needs. Leaders are described as ‘ambitious for all pupils to achieve well’, creating an environment where children are ‘prepared for learning in their next school’.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate ‘positive attitudes such as perseverance and resilience’, with strong relationships between adults and pupils supporting good behaviour.
• Teachers ‘introduce new skills step by step’ and use regular checks to plan next steps, ensuring most pupils achieve standards ‘close to those expected nationally’.
• The phonics curriculum is ‘clearly set out’, allowing children to start learning to read immediately, with teachers quickly identifying and supporting those who fall behind.
• The school effectively extends learning beyond the classroom, using extensive grounds for exercise and nature study, while pupils develop ‘kind and tolerant attitudes’.
• Governors ‘work hard to provide support and challenge for leaders’, actively seeking views from pupils, staff, and parents.

Areas to improve

• Ensure subject leaders have the capacity to design and consistently teach the curriculum well across all subjects, as some pupils currently achieve less well in a few areas.
• Strengthen communication with parents of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to secure their confidence and understanding of the support provided.

Safeguarding

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