Millom Infant School

Overview

The report states that the school "requires special measures" because it is "failing to provide an acceptable standard of education" and leaders are "not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement." While safeguarding standards are met and personal development is strong, significant weaknesses in curriculum, teaching, and leadership mean pupils do not achieve well.

Strengths

• Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
• Pupils benefit from a "well-organised programme" for personal development, gaining knowledge about "fundamental British values and healthy relationships."
• Staff maintain "warm" relationships with pupils, creating a "caring and safe school culture" where bullying is rare.
• Early reading teaching is "more secure," with teachers following the phonics programme well to build early reading knowledge.
• Leaders have maintained a focus on pupil wellbeing, ensuring all pupils can join clubs and participate in community events.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must design a "purposeful early years curriculum" and ensure it is taught well so children are prepared for Key Stage 1.
• Governors must ensure they maintain "accurate oversight" to offer "well-informed support and challenge to leaders."
• Leaders must ensure the curriculum is taught consistently and that assessment systems are used purposefully to address gaps in writing and mathematics.

Safeguarding

The report confirms that "safeguarding standards are met," noting that leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.