Severne Junior Infant and Nursery School

Overview

Severne Junior Infant and Nursery School is described as a “kind, caring community” where pupils feel “happy and safe” and “achieve well.” Leaders are “highly ambitious” for every pupil, having designed a thoughtful curriculum that prioritises reading and ensures high expectations for behaviour and learning. The report notes that the vast majority of parents are positive about the quality of education provided.

Strengths

• Leaders have designed an “ambitious curriculum” that builds on prior knowledge, with teachers who “know what to teach” and present new learning clearly.
• Reading is prioritised effectively; staff are trained in phonics, and pupils enjoy reading “diverse, ambitious class novels” that deepen their understanding of different texts.
• The early years provision is high-quality, with staff establishing clear routines and carefully organising the environment to develop children’s early language and number skills.
• Pupils are “well behaved,” “polite and respectful,” and engage fully in lessons, with incidents of bullying being rare.
• Personal development is supported through activities such as charity fundraising, school council representation, and visits to places of worship, preparing pupils for “life in modern Britain.”

Areas to improve

• Leaders should work with parents to improve the attendance of pupils, including some with special educational needs, who “do not attend school regularly” and miss important learning.
• Effective assessment systems need to be established in some subjects to help teachers identify and address gaps in pupils’ retained knowledge.
• Leaders should ensure all staff are fully trained so they have the necessary expertise to support pupils with specific needs effectively and quickly.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” noting that staff receive regular training, report concerns swiftly, and work effectively with external agencies.