St Ives Infant School

Overview

St Ives Infant School is described as a "happy place where pupils are well cared for" and enjoy attending. The report highlights that pupils behave very well, engage enthusiastically with their learning, and feel safe within a supportive community.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "ambitious" and designed to utilise local learning opportunities, with careful consideration given to the order of content in most subjects.
• Early reading is prioritised effectively; staff have the expertise to deliver phonics, and most pupils read with "growing accuracy and confidence."
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified swiftly, with precise plans developed to support their progress through the curriculum.
• The school develops pupils’ character well through experiences like the ‘Big 25’, encouraging them to try new challenges and develop talents.
• Strong partnerships with parents are maintained, with staff ensuring parents understand the importance of phonics and reading.

Areas to improve

• In a small number of subjects, the curriculum does not make clear enough the essential knowledge pupils need to know and remember, causing them to struggle to recall prior learning.
• Occasionally, books used for phonics practice do not accurately match pupils’ stage in the programme, which slows the fluency of a small number of readers.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.