Arden Forest Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 November 2022

Arden Forest Infant School is a welcoming and friendly place to be. Pupils say they are happy to be in school and feel safe. This is because staff support pupils well and show kindness and care for them. Pupils know there is someone to talk to if they are worried about anything. Leaders expect all pupils to behave well and work hard. Pupils understand these expectations. They learn that it is their responsibility to follow the rules, and they take this responsibility seriously. Pupils say that bullying does sometimes happen but know that staff deal with it if it does. Pupils enjoy a broad curriculum. Trips to places such as museums help to enrich this curriculum. Pupils remember a lot of what they have learned in subjects such as history. They were proud of their local author, George Eliott, and understood why she wrote her stories using a man's name. Pupils are proud to have responsibilities in school, such as being a school councillor. They also enjoy a range of extra-curricular clubs such as football, multi-skills and dragon dancing. They learn about the diverse world we live in through the engaging events they experience in school.

What the school should improve

• Some pupils do not blend phonics well to read unknown words. As a result, they cannot read confidently or fluently. Leaders should ensure that these pupils receive appropriate support in phonics to improve their ability to read.
• Some subject leaders are new to role and at the early stages of developing the curriculum. As a result, not all subjects are developed to the same standard across the curriculum, and pupils' knowledge in some subjects is not as strong as in others. Leaders should ensure that subject leaders are given the time and support they need to develop their curriculum so that pupils' knowledge of all areas of the curriculum is equally strong.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)