Huthwaite All Saints Church of England Infant and Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 March 2026

This small, friendly school is a happy and welcoming place, where pupils thrive. They feel safe, listened to and cared for. The overwhelming majority of parents and carers praise the school highly. They appreciate how the school gives their child a 'great start to their learning journey' and helps them 'flourish in their own way'. Everyone gets on well together, creating a calm and positive atmosphere. When pupils fall out, adults resolve this quickly and fairly so bullying does not become an issue. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities learn alongside their friends, who naturally use the same signs, symbols and communication tools. This enables everyone to take part and feel included. Children increasingly attend well. They enjoy their learning and arrive each day eager to engage with the day’s activities. In early years, children make rapid progress because clear routines and a supportive environment help them feel secure and ready to learn. As pupils move up the school, they become more independent and self-assured. They talk confidently about their favourite subjects. By Year 2, pupils deepen their knowledge through small projects, use technology to research ideas and take pride in what they create. They speak proudly about the skills they have learned, such as weaving, making tassels, mixing dry paints and using tools with confidence. They apply these skills in increasingly sophisticated ways. Pupils enjoy many opportunities for enrichment. For example, they participate in seaside trips, swimming, ukulele lessons and discussions about the news. By the time pupils leave the school, they have secured the early knowledge and understanding they once found difficult. Pupils develop a secure sense of personal and moral values. They feel that they belong and are well supported. Pupils grow in confidence as they move through the school, knowing that adults want the best for them.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that all staff have the expertise to teach the curriculum effectively, including in play-based learning, and that high expectations for letter formation are taught and applied consistently across the school.
• Leaders should continue to work with external agencies to ensure that attendance further improves, particularly for pupils in receipt of pupil premium funding and those who face barriers to their wellbeing.
• Teachers should ensure that pupils recall the breadth of the school's personal development programme, so they can draw on what they have learned about kindness, safety and healthy relationships in their daily lives.

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