Thomas Russell Infants School

Overview

Thomas Russell Infants School is rated ‘Good’ for overall effectiveness, with all key judgement areas also rated ‘Good’. Pupils arrive ‘happy and eager to learn’, benefiting from ‘warm and appropriate relationships’ with staff who prioritise their needs. The school fosters a calm environment where pupils behave well and feel safe, supported by an ‘exciting and ambitious curriculum’ that generally helps them achieve well.

Strengths

• Early reading is a priority, with a phonics programme delivered with ‘expertise’ resulting in pupils who ‘achieve very well’ and apply strategies to read unknown words.
• Mathematics teaching allows pupils to ‘recall important mathematics facts’ through initiatives like ‘Fluency Fridays’, enabling most to solve problems ‘accurately and efficiently’.
• The early years provision is ‘very good’, with ‘highly skilled staff’ engaging children in activities that promote independence and develop communication skills.
• Staff feel ‘very well supported by leaders’ who manage workloads effectively, while governors are ‘passionate’ and knowledgeable about school operations.
• Pupils develop strong character and citizenship skills, described as ‘confident’ and keen to discuss school life, with a wide variety of clubs extending their interests.

Areas to improve

• Teachers must consistently adapt the curriculum to meet individual needs, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to prevent some from waiting or failing to complete work.
• Leaders should ensure pupils develop a ‘secure understanding’ of fundamental British values and the diverse cultures existing outside their immediate community, as current knowledge is insufficient.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’, with leaders prioritising safety, ensuring regular staff training, and acting swiftly on incidents with external advice where necessary.