Priory Infant School

Overview

Priory Infant School continues to be a good school, offering a "calm and purposeful" environment where pupils are "happy" and "included." Leaders have accelerated improvement plans since September 2022, resulting in enhanced teaching of reading and mathematics, with pupils' attainment improving. The school fosters high aspirations for all learners, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Strengths

• Reading is taught "consistently well," with staff using songs and poetry to ignite curiosity and ensuring pupils attain well in phonics.
• Leaders have developed a "bespoke nurture room" to help pupils with complex SEND recognise emotions and build friendships.
• The curriculum in subjects like mathematics and art is refined so teachers know "precisely what pupils must understand and remember."
• Pupils engage actively in local history, such as visiting Ramsgate tunnels, and participate in extra-curricular clubs and charity events.
• Staff are well trained to address pupils’ needs, maintaining a culture of "high behaviour expectations" and a calm learning environment.

Areas to improve

• In some foundation subjects, leaders must continue to refine the curriculum so teachers know "exactly what they must teach and regularly revisit" to embed knowledge securely in pupils’ long-term memories.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff trained to recognise risks and leaders acting swiftly, though they note that external support for at-risk absent pupils is "not always forthcoming."