Walmley Infant School

Overview

Walmley Infant School continues to be a good school, described as a "happy, highly inclusive" environment where respect and equality are central to its ethos. Pupils behave well and achieve well, particularly in early reading and mathematics, benefiting from an "ambitious and exciting curriculum" that is well sequenced to build understanding over time.

Strengths

• The curriculum is "well sequenced," with a strong focus on developing pupils’ vocabulary and ensuring they are "secure in their learning."
• Reading is a high priority; the phonics programme is "well established and effective," with staff consistently supporting pupils to keep up with peers.
• Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are quickly identified and receive "bespoke plans," allowing them to access the same learning as classmates with appropriate challenge.
• Staff skilfully engage children’s interests, such as using personal timelines to teach historical concepts, helping pupils demonstrate a "strong understanding of historical chronology."
• Leaders and governors prioritise staff well-being and workload, creating a culture where everyone is "highly motivated to do their best for the pupils."

Areas to improve

• In key stage 1, a small number of subjects are at an early stage of development and are "not yet fully implemented as intended," requiring the school to ensure full implementation so pupils achieve well in all subjects.
• The indoor nursery learning environment is "not as well designed or equipped as it could be" to support the ambitious early years curriculum, and the school should continue plans to improve this.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.