Hatfield Peverel Infant and Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 4 October 2022

Pupils enjoy coming to school. They play and learn together extremely well. Relationships between pupils and adults are strong. Pupils are polite, well mannered and get on well with one another. Bullying is rare. They know that if it does happen, or if they fall out with friends, adults will help them to sort things out. 'Eric the elephant' plays a key role in pupils' time in school. Pupils delight in collecting tokens when they display one of Eric's characteristics of effort, respect, independence and communication. Pupils know how to show these characteristics and are rightly proud when their class wins Eric for the week when they have collected the most tokens. Pupils' behaviour is calm and purposeful. Clear routines and adults' high expectations of pupils mean that the school is a very happy and calm environment. If pupils become upset or need time to relax, the Calm Cubby in the playground provides a quiet space. Pupils can recognise their feelings and know what to do if, for example, they feel angry or sad. Pupils know about, and celebrate, the differences between themselves and others. Through assemblies, pupils develop a secure understanding about people who have different views and beliefs to them.

What the school should improve

• In the nursery class, there is not yet sufficient clarity about the specific knowledge and skills children need to know, remember and be able to do in the different areas of learning. Leaders recognise that the curriculum is not as aspirational as they want it to be. Leaders should ensure that they complete the work they have started, to design and implement the Nursery curriculum to help children develop a rich and detailed understanding across all areas of learning by the time they start Reception.

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