Speedwell Nursery School

Overview

The report states that the quality of education and leadership and management ‘Requires improvement’, while behaviour and attitudes and personal development are ‘Good’. It notes that the school has been through a ‘period of turbulence’ but is now ‘stabilised, focused and determined to make the necessary improvements’. The quality of education is currently ‘variable and inconsistent’ because the school has not yet fully realised its ambitions for curriculum delivery.

Strengths

• Adults foster ‘strong relationships’ with children and families, warmly greeting children and helping them ‘settle quickly and feel safe’.
• Children develop ‘resilience and independence’, learning to ‘cut up their own fruit’ and dress themselves, while also learning about ‘difference and acceptance’.
• The school has ‘prioritised communication and language’, using targeted strategies like visual cues and Makaton to help children, including those with special educational needs, build knowledge well.
• Children display ‘enthusiasm and keenness’, responding positively to high expectations and routines such as songs for hand washing.
• Children learn to be ‘kind’, playing together, taking turns, and developing a ‘strong sense of belonging’ through clear routines and boundaries.

Areas to improve

• The school must identify ‘component knowledge and ambitious vocabulary across all areas of learning’ so children can build knowledge cumulatively.
• Staff need to ensure they ‘make the most of every opportunity to further children’s learning during independent times’ to deepen understanding.
• Assessment must be used effectively to ‘check what children have learned, identify gaps and use this to shape the future curriculum design’.

Safeguarding

The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.