Stillness Infant School

Overview

Stillness Infant School is a large infant school where pupils enjoy learning because ‘teachers make it fun’ and describe staff as ‘kind’ and ‘caring’. The report highlights that leaders have high expectations, resulting in good behaviour, high attendance, and a ‘broad and rich’ curriculum. While personal development is rated Outstanding, the overall effectiveness and quality of education are rated Good.

Strengths

• Pupils demonstrate a ‘strong understanding of morals’ and a thorough knowledge of school values, supported by well-planned educational visits.
• Links with parents are ‘particularly strong’, with families actively supporting career aspirations and attending school events in large numbers.
• Early years provision offers ‘purposeful experiences’ where children explore learning practically and respond well to open-ended approaches.
• Leaders foster a ‘have a go’ culture, encouraging pupils to view ‘making mistakes as an opportunity for learning’.
• Governors are ‘highly skilled and knowledgeable’, working closely with external agencies to support staff development and pupil needs.

Areas to improve

• Staff do not routinely check what pupils know or understand, meaning opportunities to revisit knowledge and deepen thinking are not maximised.
• In some lessons, low-level disruptive behaviour goes unchallenged because teachers do not always alter teaching to respond to pupil needs.
• Staff in early years do not routinely model the specific language or vocabulary they expect children to learn and use.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a culture where staff understand that safeguarding is ‘everyone’s responsibility’ and follow clear procedures for reporting concerns.