Queen Mary Avenue Infant School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils “enjoy their time” and feel safe within a “warm and friendly atmosphere.” Leaders promote an ambitious curriculum that supports most pupils well, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), though inconsistencies remain in some areas.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from “caring and positive relationships” with staff and contribute actively to school life through roles such as library monitors.
• The curriculum is “ambitious” and carefully sequenced in key subjects like science, where pupils develop specific knowledge and skills.
• Phonics teaching is consistent and effective, ensuring most pupils leave with a “confident grasp of phonics” and an enjoyment of reading.
• Support for pupils with SEND is effective, with focused small-group teaching ensuring they “do not fall behind in their learning.”
• Personal, social and health education helps pupils develop an “impressive knowledge of online safety” and respect for different faiths.

Areas to improve

• The school must establish a “consistent approach to develop pupils’ fluency in reading,” as some pupils do not read fluently enough.
• Curriculum plans in some foundation subjects lack precision, meaning teachers are uncertain of content; these must be refined so staff know “what pupils must learn.”
• Systems to check pupil knowledge in foundation subjects are “not fully embedded,” making it difficult to identify learning gaps.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”