Shirley Infant School

Overview

Shirley Infant School is described as a “caring and welcoming school” where pupils “thrive in this nurturing and supportive environment.” Leaders have established a “coherent and well-structured curriculum” that ensures pupils achieve well and are “well-prepared for their transition to junior school.” The school’s ethos is underpinned by a strong commitment to inclusivity, ensuring “every child, every chance, every day.”

Strengths

• Staff possess “strong subject knowledge” due to a “high-quality programme of professional development” supported by the trust.
• Reading is “central to the school’s curriculum,” with staff demonstrating strong expertise in phonics and promoting a “love of reading.”
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported effectively to “achieve in line with their peers” through clear identification systems and appropriate adaptations.
• The school places high value on pupil voice, with the school council helping to “shape aspects of the school” and a “thoughtfully considered personal development programme.”
• Positive relationships based on “mutual respect and trust” help pupils feel safe and confident in discussing their worries with adults.

Areas to improve

• Staff do not consistently check pupils’ understanding during lessons, leading to “gaps in their knowledge” and preventing deeper learning.
• In the early years, adults do not always use “targeted conversations” to deepen learning, meaning children’s communication and vocabulary skills are not always developed to leaders’ expectations.

Safeguarding

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