Poulner Infant School and Nursery

Overview

Poulner Infant School and Nursery has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes a school where pupils thrive, stating they ‘hurry happily into school’ and demonstrate a ‘real thirst for knowledge’. Leaders and governors work collaboratively to drive improvement, creating an environment where staff feel supported and pupils behave well.

Strengths

• Pupils display a ‘kind and respectful manner’, with everyone feeling welcome and playing harmoniously.
• The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured in many subjects, enabling pupils to ‘build their understanding step by step’.
• Teachers possess strong subject knowledge and use effective strategies, including helping pupils make ‘helpful links both within and between subjects’.
• Reading is prioritised through a ‘well-structured programme’, with most pupils learning to read fluently before leaving.
• Early years provision offers a ‘positive start’, with ‘strong, nurturing relationships’ helping children feel safe and secure.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum does not identify what pupils should learn and when ‘precisely enough’, hindering effective learning.
• Pupils’ misconceptions are not always identified swiftly, leaving ‘gaps in pupils’ understanding’ that are not addressed before moving on.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.