Monkwick Infant and Nursery School

Overview

Monkwick Infant and Nursery School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a school where pupils are “happy and proud,” benefiting from a curriculum that is “expertly designed” and “rich in language and subject-specific knowledge.” Leaders and staff are positive, with governors receiving the information needed to “support and challenge the school effectively.”

Strengths

• The curriculum ensures pupils “regularly revisit and connect their knowledge within and across different subjects.”
• Reading and phonics are “securely embedded,” with staff providing effective help so pupils who fall behind can “catch up.”
• The school has “adapted well” to increased numbers of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including the development of the ‘Nest’ provision.
• Pupils’ behaviour is “positive and focused on learning,” with initiatives like ‘legendary lunchtimes’ leading to improved conduct.
• A “wide personal development offer” helps pupils understand their community and become “well prepared for life beyond school.”

Areas to improve

• In some foundation subjects, assessment approaches are “not yet fully embedded,” meaning teachers do not always have the information needed to adapt teaching.
• On “very rare occasions,” strategies for pupils with SEND are not used consistently to ensure they learn the curriculum as well as they can.
• Some pupils “do not attend as well as they should,” though the school is working tirelessly to challenge absence and attendance is improving for many.

Safeguarding

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