Monkton Infants' School

Overview

Monkton Infants’ School is described as a “nurturing and caring environment” where pupils feel safe, happy, and are “keen to learn.” The inspection found that the school provides a “purposeful and ambitious” curriculum, with staff maintaining high expectations that pupils consistently meet through hard work and respectful behaviour.

Strengths

• The curriculum is well-sequenced, particularly in early reading and mathematics, helping pupils build secure knowledge and become “confident mathematicians.”
• Pupils demonstrate strong personal development, showing “mutual respect,” resilience, and a positive attitude towards learning and collaboration.
• Early years provision is effective, with “well-established induction arrangements” and a “number rich” environment that helps children settle quickly and prepare for Year 1.
• Staff relationships are “highly positive,” and initiatives like the breakfast club and school dog help pupils settle and feel cared for.
• Governance provides “effective support and challenge,” while leaders are considerate of staff well-being.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “swiftly identified” and that support targets are “precisely matched to their needs” to avoid delays in assistance.
• The school needs to reduce persistent absence, which remains higher than the national average, by ensuring its work with families successfully helps pupils improve attendance.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”