Oaklands Infant School

Overview

Oaklands Infant School is described as a place where pupils are happy, well looked after, and eager to learn. The report highlights a caring environment with high expectations, resulting in calm lessons and positive behaviour. Leaders have implemented effective improvements since the previous inspection, supported by the trust and governors.

Strengths

• Pupils are enthusiastic about attending school, with parents noting their children arrive "smiling" and leave happy.
• Reading is a priority, with a new phonics programme delivered well and books "appropriately matched to the sounds pupils are learning."
• The curriculum is "well structured," mapping out knowledge and skills clearly, such as in music where pupils demonstrate understanding of pulse and beat.
• Staff provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enabling them to "keep up with their peers."
• Children in the early years get off to a "flying start," becoming highly engaged and able to explain their thinking.

Areas to improve

• Staff assessment of pupils’ understanding needs refinement, as pupils sometimes struggle to remember key content over time.
• The school should ensure staff emphasise the most important knowledge, carefully check understanding, and help pupils integrate new knowledge into larger ideas.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.