Eastfield Infants and Nursery Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 June 2023

Everyone is proud to be a part of 'LaceyField' as the school is known locally. Pupils say that their school has got better and better. They are rarely disturbed in class. Adults are always there to help. They want everyone, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to be ready for the next stage of their learning. Children in early years settle quickly into routines. Staff get to know them and their families exceptionally well. Children enjoy sharing special moments with others during snack time. They get off to the best possible start in nursery and reception. Pupils work and play together happily. They say everyone is kind. Playtimes are lively and enjoyable. Pupils explain that the new climbing frames are fun to explore with their friends. The school day begins with a nurture breakfast for all. Pupils say that they have learned that 'a good start means a good day'. Extra support is readily available for pupils who need more help to start the day well. Parents and carers appreciate this support and say that staff always make the time to talk. However, too many pupils do not attend school on every day that they could. This is beginning to improve.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum in a few subjects is at an early stage of implementation and staff subject knowledge is developing in these areas. Sometimes, activities do not enable pupils to build knowledge as well as they might. Leaders should make sure that teachers have the subject knowledge to identify exactly what pupils need to learn so that activities always enable pupils to know more and remember more.
• Occasionally, targets for pupils with SEND are not as precise as they could be. This means that teachers do not always focus well enough on precisely what some pupils need to know to be able to make the best possible progress. Leaders should ensure that plans for pupils accurately identify the most important next steps that will make the biggest difference to the pupil's progress. Leaders should make sure that these plans are checked, updated and shared with all who are supporting the pupil.
• Too many pupils do not attend school every day that they could. This means that some pupils, particularly those with SEND, do not get all the opportunities that they need to build their knowledge. Leaders should continue to check that the strategies that they are putting in place are making a difference.

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