Motcombe Infants' School

Overview

Motcombe Infants’ School continues to be a good school, providing a purposeful and well-considered learning environment. Leaders have high ambition for all pupils, who are described as polite, caring, and respectful, with a strong sense of safety and happiness.

Strengths

• The ambitious curriculum is well developed, with clear sequencing from early years that helps pupils build effectively on previous learning.
• Staff possess strong subject knowledge and use assessment well to ensure lessons are engaging and suited to pupils’ starting points.
• A structured approach to reading, including a new phonics scheme, ensures pupils swiftly learn to read fluently and value books.
• Pupils are keen and confident mathematicians, supported by careful teaching strategies using concrete and pictorial resources.
• Behaviour is impressive, with pupils adamant that there is no bullying and that they can speak to adults if worried.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure that strategies to address gaps in learning for disadvantaged pupils are embedded so that all pupils achieve as expected.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff alert to signs of risk and leaders taking swift action to help pupils and families.