Spennithorne Church of England VA Infant School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils "love coming to school" and benefit from a "safe, welcoming and family feeling" across its federated sites. Leaders have driven "recent improvements" in achievement through curriculum changes, ensuring pupils are "prepared well for their next steps in education." The governing body has stabilised the school, with leaders providing effective support for staff and pupils, including those with special educational needs.

Strengths

• Early years staff are "kind and nurturing," helping children settle and explore learning through effective activities.
• Pupils are "enthusiastic readers" who quickly learn to read, supported by well-trained staff and targeted additional sessions.
• Mathematics features an "ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum," with teachers explaining concepts clearly using visual aids.
• Pupils demonstrate "empathy and genuine respect for others" through a carefully crafted personal, social and health education curriculum.
• Leaders provide "rigorous challenge" and professional development, ensuring staff well-being and effective support for early-career teachers.

Areas to improve

• Strengthen systems for checking pupils’ prior knowledge to ensure teachers plan lessons that build effectively on what pupils already know.
• Ensure subject leaders monitor curriculum implementation regularly so teachers emphasise the most important knowledge, helping pupils retain foundations for future learning.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with thorough checks on adults and staff trained to identify and communicate safety concerns.