Millfields First School

Overview

Millfields First School is described as a welcoming environment where pupils are "very happy" and behave with "high degrees of respect." The school delivers a "challenging and stimulating learning environment" underpinned by values of "ambition, possibilities and outdoor learning," with particular praise for its extensive forest school provision and effective early years support.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "ambitious" and clearly sets out key learning, with "extensive use of forest school" successfully integrated across subjects.
• Early reading is taught effectively from Reception, ensuring pupils read with "appropriate fluency" and fostering a "love of reading."
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive "accurately identified" support and "achieve well" through personalised adaptations.
• Staff benefit from "extensive training opportunities" and appreciate leadership support that is "mindful of workload."
• Governors are "very well informed" and ensure regular external reviews maintain a "sharp focus on developments."

Areas to improve

• Attendance remains high for some "more vulnerable pupils," causing them to miss valuable learning time; the school must continue working with parents to improve this.
• Some teachers do not use assessment effectively enough to identify misconceptions or move pupils to more challenging work, which can slow learning for some.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."