St Michael's Church of England Infant School Maidstone

Overview

Pupils at this small, welcoming infant school are “warmly cared for by kind, nurturing adults” and thrive in a calm, orderly environment. The school delivers a high-quality education with an “ambitious” curriculum that fosters curiosity and perseverance, ensuring pupils are well-prepared for the next stage of their education.

Strengths

• Staff possess the expertise to teach effectively, providing precise support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Reading is a clear priority; recent adaptations to phonics teaching help pupils, including those with SEND, to “catch up quickly” and read with increasing confidence.
• Pupils embody values of friendship and respect, getting along well and addressing any issues promptly.
• The school offers enriching experiences, such as “wow” events and local trips, which bring learning to life and inspire “awe and wonder.”
• Leaders create a supportive culture where staff feel valued, and governors provide an appropriate balance of support and challenge.

Areas to improve

• In some aspects of the wider curriculum, content details are “not made explicit enough,” meaning pupils do not consistently retain key knowledge and language as effectively as leaders expect.

Safeguarding

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