Ridgeway Infant School

Overview

Ridgeway Infant School continues to be a good school, characterised by a "genuine sense of community" and high staff morale. Leaders have established an inclusive environment where pupils are excited to learn, with particular praise for the support provided to children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Strengths

• Leaders have designed a "well-structured curriculum" that helps pupils achieve well, using tools like "green sheets" to reinforce key knowledge.
• Pupils learn to read effectively from the start, with staff well-trained in phonics; children commonly say they "love reading" and enjoy teachers’ "story voices".
• The early years provide a "happy learning environment" where leaders prioritise developing communication skills and vocabulary through carefully chosen topics.
• Staff provide effective support for pupils with SEND, with parents noting the school goes "above and beyond" for their children.
• Pupils behave well, feel safe, and understand equality and diversity, contributing to a positive school culture.

Areas to improve

• In a few subjects, teachers are not checking what pupils can remember well enough, leading to gaps in knowledge that need addressing.
• Too many pupils are persistently absent, meaning they are missing out on significant parts of their education; leaders must ensure new attendance strategies are effective.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong" culture where leaders ensure staff have the necessary knowledge to identify risks and systems for reporting concerns are rigorous.