Henry Bradley Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 April 2024

Pupils love coming to this happy school, where they feel safe and secure. Everyone gets on well. Martha, the much-loved school dog, makes them feel at home. Children in the Nursery settle in quickly. They enjoy making 'porridge' in the mud kitchen with new friends. Staff are kind and caring. They tell pupils to 'Reach for the stars', and pupils are eager to do so. They know the school's motto means that they must aim high. When they do, they are proud of becoming a 'Henry Bradley Hero'. They see that staff recognise and celebrate their hard work and good behaviour. Pupils agree that 'Hot Chocolate Friday is the best of all'. Pupils say that being at Henry Bradley is fun. Skilled teachers teach them to read and to understand multiplication without delay. In science, they learn about wildlife. They like going on visits to the 'Eureka! Science and Discovery Museum' and to see 'Aladdin' at the 'Winding Wheel Theatre'. They play their part as future citizens by raising money for Children in Need. They also enjoy learning new skills at the many clubs that staff organise for them, such as basketball.

What the school should improve

• COVID-19 has resulted in some pupils lacking stamina when writing, with their presentation poor due to lower fine motor skills. In addition, pupils' communication skills have been impacted so that they do not habitually write in sentences. These factors have resulted in pupils' attainment in writing not being as high as it needs to be. The school should give pupils sufficient opportunities to form their handwriting correctly and, whenever appropriate, to use full sentences and write for different purposes.

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