Mowden Infant School

Overview

Mowden Infant School continues to be a good school where pupils enjoy learning and demonstrate positive behaviour. The school fosters a strong ethos of ‘Learning in Partnership’, supported by caring staff and high expectations from leaders. Parents are overwhelmingly positive, describing it as a ‘wonderful school with caring staff’.

Strengths

• The curriculum is broad and ambitious, with a particular focus on reading; the new phonics programme supports pupils in making ‘good progress’ and ‘rapid start[s]’ in early years.
• Mathematics is ‘well planned and sequenced’, with clear approaches that help pupils build knowledge and enjoy problem-solving activities.
• Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is ‘carefully considered’, featuring bespoke plans and effective referrals to specialist professionals.
• Personal, social and health education helps pupils understand British values and equality, ensuring they know that ‘people cannot be left out because of their race, religion or gender’.
• Staff workload is considered by leaders and governors, and staff value the support they receive.

Areas to improve

• In some wider curriculum subjects, teaching is ‘not as tightly focused on the learning intentions’ as in other areas, meaning pupils are not building subject knowledge as effectively as they could. Leaders must refine the curriculum to ensure teachers are clear about what pupils need to know and remember.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a culture where safeguarding is of the ‘highest priority’, supported by vigilant staff, regular training, and detailed record-keeping.