The Oaks Infant School

Overview

The Oaks Infant School continues to be a good school, characterised by a “welcoming and nurturing” ethos where “kindness is a core value”. Pupils are described as “happy and safe”, with staff placing them at the forefront of all activities. The report highlights that parents are “overwhelmingly positive” and that the school provides an “exciting” and “wondrous” learning environment.

Strengths

• The teaching of reading is a “strong aspect”, supported by a new phonics programme and carefully selected books that help pupils become “more fluent readers”.
• The mathematics curriculum is “developed well”, with staff who “enthuse and engage pupils” in solving real-life problems.
• Children in Nursery and Reception get off to a “flying start” in an “inspiring environment” that embeds early learning.
• Physical education has been “enhanced”, offering diverse experiences such as dance and boccia, with plans for every child to ride a two-wheeled bicycle.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive “exactly the right support” to thrive, with particular praise for the specialist Acorn Centre.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should “continue to embed the teaching of these well-developed plans” across all subjects, as there has not yet been enough time for full implementation.
• Teaching must identify “exactly what pupils already know”, particularly in mathematics, and ascertain “small steps” to support all pupils, especially those with SEND, to make progress.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective”, with staff who are “well trained”, “alert to safeguarding issues”, and ensure “meticulous records” of actions are kept.