New Milton Infant School

Overview

New Milton Infant School is described as a “caring and inclusive school” where leaders demonstrate a “strong sense of moral purpose.” The report highlights “genuinely warm and nurturing” relationships between staff and pupils, creating a “calm and purposeful” environment where children are “keen to learn.”

Strengths

• Staff possess “good knowledge of the subjects they teach” and explain ideas clearly, helping pupils make links with previous learning.
• A “rigorous approach to reading” and new phonics scheme have had a “positive impact,” enabling pupils to become “confident and fluent readers.”
• Pupils benefit from a broad curriculum that includes “enrichment opportunities” such as the ‘library bus’, clubs, and educational visits.
• Leaders ensure pupils develop independence and understand safety, including online safety, through activities like visiting a local care home.
• Governors are “highly knowledgeable” and offer “effective challenge,” while staff are “happy and proud to work at this school.”

Areas to improve

• The curriculum is “not always implemented as well as intended,” meaning some pupils’ learning is “not maximised”; leaders must ensure staff have the necessary skills to support learning effectively.
• A minority of pupils “do not attend school regularly enough”; leaders should “redouble their efforts” to support vulnerable families in improving attendance.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff being “swift to report any concerns” and leaders working “proactively with other agencies” to secure help for pupils.