North Walsham Infant School

Overview

North Walsham Infant School is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report describes an inclusive environment where pupils are ‘polite and friendly’ and ‘thrive in their calm classrooms’. Leaders have established an ‘ambitious curriculum’ that builds knowledge over time, with a strong focus on early reading and phonics.

Strengths

• Pupils are ‘well supported’ with ‘robust’ systems for identifying special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) early.
• Teachers use a ‘consistent approach’ to phonics, ensuring pupils ‘progress through the programme steadily’.
• Staff are ‘vigilant’ regarding safeguarding, with ‘detailed records’ and swift responses to concerns.
• The school fosters positive personal development through its ‘Life Skills’ curriculum and the ‘50 things to do before you leave North Walsham’ programme.
• Leaders prioritise staff well-being, resulting in a ‘strong sense of teamwork’.

Areas to improve

• Teachers do not always ‘design activities to suit the range of pupils’ abilities’, meaning some pupils ‘do not fully meet the staff’s objectives’.
• Leaders should support teachers to ‘design thoughtfully adapted tasks and activities’ so all pupils can ‘fulfil their potential’.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with well-trained staff who are ‘vigilant to the signs that a pupil may be at risk’ and report concerns immediately.