Thomas A Becket Infant School

Overview

Thomas A Becket Infant School is described as a “happy and successful school with an exceptionally strong sense of community.” The inspection confirms that the school has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection,” where it was previously judged good. Pupils are well known to staff and “thrive” within a supportive environment that fosters independence and kindness.

Strengths

• The school has designed a “highly effective curriculum” that builds strong foundations from the early years, ensuring pupils achieve well.
• There is a “strong prioritisation of reading,” supported by a redeveloped library and tailored phonics teaching where staff model sounds effectively.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “especially well supported,” with needs identified rapidly and staff adept at modifying their input.
• Relationships are strong, underpinned by shared values (REACH), and pupils conduct themselves well, treating one another with kindness.
• Wider development is “especially strong,” with pupils taking on meaningful responsibilities such as caring for animals on the ‘nurture farm’.

Areas to improve

• The school needs to embed its approach to teaching subject-specific vocabulary, as current work is in its “early stages” and not yet systematic, limiting pupils’ ability to use complex terms accurately.

Safeguarding

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