Winklebury Infant School

Overview

Winklebury Infant School continues to be a good school, providing a highly inclusive environment where all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are given the help they need to achieve well. The school fosters a strong sense of community built on core values such as empathy and respect, resulting in harmonious social times and high levels of pupil engagement.

Strengths

• The curriculum is described as "ambitious and well sequenced," with teachers showing "secure subject knowledge" that helps pupils build knowledge effectively.
• Reading provision is excellent; staff are "expert teachers of phonics" who accurately check for gaps and put in place extra activities to ensure pupils "learn to read very well."
• Behaviour is positive, with "low-level disruption" being rare, and pupils are described as "enthusiastic learners" who take ownership of their learning.
• The school creates a culture where support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is "targeted and precise," ensuring they progress well.
• Staff feel valued in a "family environment," and governors provide "effective challenge and support" to school leaders.

Areas to improve

• Changes to a small number of foundation subjects are not yet embedded, meaning pupils are not learning as well as they could across the entire curriculum; staff need the knowledge to ensure coherent knowledge building.
• Persistent absence among the most vulnerable pupils remains high, preventing them from fully benefiting from the school’s offer; the school must refine strategies to improve attendance for these families.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.