Rowner Infant School

Overview

Rowner Infant School is described as a “welcoming, inclusive and nurturing” environment where pupils are “happy and safe.” The report states that the school has made “significant improvements to the curriculum” since the last inspection, resulting in a provision that is now “broad, balanced and ambitious.” Staff demonstrate high expectations for achievement and maintain strong links with families and the local community.

Strengths

• Pupils behave well, underpinned by the school’s values to “be kind, safe and ready,” which encourages independence and responsibility.
• Early years provision is “carefully considered” to meet varied starting points, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Staff have improved confidence in delivering the phonics programme, helping most pupils learn to read more quickly.
• The school promotes personal development effectively, with pupils talking “confidently about how to keep themselves safe” and managing their emotions.
• Staff morale is high, and the “overwhelming majority of parents are delighted with the school.”

Areas to improve

• The school should ensure the intended curriculum is “fully implemented and monitored effectively” so pupils consistently remember and use important subject knowledge.
• Teachers must use assessment processes to adapt teaching in all subjects, ensuring tasks are matched to pupils’ current knowledge, particularly for some pupils with SEND.

Safeguarding

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