Tavistock Infant School

Overview

Tavistock Infant School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a “warm and nurturing environment” where pupils are treated as individuals and exhibit “positive attitudes and kind behaviour.” Overall, the school provides a high-quality education with well-established routines and a strong focus on pupil happiness and academic progress.

Strengths

• Staff create a welcoming atmosphere, greeting pupils by name and fostering a culture where children feel safe and valued.
• The curriculum is “well thought through,” with a clear focus on key knowledge and vocabulary that builds effectively from Reception through Key Stage 1.
• Teaching is “engaging and precise,” with skilful checks on learning and a deliberate focus on developing pupils’ speaking and listening skills.
• Phonics is taught well, ensuring most pupils make a “great start when learning to read,” while current work on writing is already having a “notable impact.”
• Staff are described as a “true team” with a strong commitment to supporting pupils, including those with additional needs.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure it implements plans to enhance provision for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who have not recently achieved as well as their peers.
• Leaders should keep a “close eye on the impact” of these improvements on progress and make adjustments as needed.

Safeguarding

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