Queenswell Infant & Nursery School

Overview

The report describes Queenswell Infant & Nursery School as a "welcoming and happy school community" where pupils are "polite and considerate." Leaders have established a "well-structured curriculum" with "ambitious" thinking, particularly prioritising reading and phonics from Reception. The school is rated as 'Good' across all inspection categories, including early years provision and leadership.

Strengths

• Pupils are "enthusiastic about learning" and behave well, supported by staff who maintain "high expectations."
• Reading is a clear priority; staff are "well trained in the teaching of phonics" and ensure pupils read books that "match the sounds that they know."
• Leaders identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "quickly," providing effective support so they can "learn well and develop their independence."
• The curriculum is broken down into "logical steps," helping pupils build knowledge systematically, such as understanding algorithms in computing.
• Staff encourage pupils to "value and celebrate difference," fostering respect for differing beliefs and customs through visits and speakers.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, leaders must establish systems to check that key knowledge is "embedded in their long-term memory" to prevent gaps in pupils’ understanding.
• Leaders need to ensure teaching activities "align closely to the knowledge and skills" leaders want pupils to secure, so that teaching consistently deepens subject-specific understanding.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective," with staff well trained to identify concerns and report them quickly, ensuring pupils receive necessary help and support.