Thorpe Acre Infant School

Overview

The report describes a school where pupils are “proud” and enjoy a “calm and happy” atmosphere. Leaders have successfully revised the curriculum to set out “precisely what pupils should know,” and staff provide strong support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Strengths

• Pupils behave sensibly, listen carefully, and understand the school’s core values, such as being “determined” and “caring”.
• The outdoor areas are “exceptionally well equipped and maintained,” supporting pupils’ physical and mental well-being.
• Reading is a high priority with a “well-established and systematic approach,” including daily phonics and support for less fluent readers.
• Provision for pupils with SEND is “strong,” with staff adapting teaching and using “break-out” areas for targeted support.
• Governors provide “effective support and challenge” and consider the impact of changes on staff workload.

Areas to improve

• The revised curriculum for science, foundation subjects, and the early years is in the “very early stages of implementation.”
• The school must ensure checks on curriculum implementation lead to pupils knowing and remembering more as they progress, as there is “not yet a clear view of its effectiveness.”

Safeguarding

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