Dudley Infant Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 April 2025

Pupils love to come to this school. Staff welcome pupils warmly into the playground every morning. Staff know pupils and their families well. They understand what will help pupils to thrive personally, socially and academically. As a result, the school is a happy environment where pupils feel safe and get the support they need to learn successfully. Staff make learning interesting, and pupils contribute eagerly during lessons. Pupils achieve well across the curriculum and are ready for the next stage in their education. As soon as pupils start school, they are taught how to behave in accordance with the school values. Staff take every opportunity to demonstrate these values. As a result, pupils follow well-established routines and concentrate well in lessons. Pupils are taught how to recognise their emotions and how to help themselves if they are feeling angry or sad. They know they can always talk to staff in school if they are concerned about anything. The school provides leadership roles for pupils such as the school council, involvement in fundraising events and being friendship ambassadors at social times. Pupils carry out their responsibilities with great pride as they contribute to the school community.

What the school should improve

• The school has not embedded its approach to checking pupils' understanding within lessons. As a result, activities are not always adapted or closely matched to what pupils know and understand. This can hinder pupils from connecting new learning with what they already know. The school should ensure that gaps in pupils' knowledge are identified in a timely way and that activities are well designed so that all pupils have the support they need to achieve the school's ambitious aims equally well across the whole curriculum.

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