Phoenix Infant and Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 January 2022

Pupils flourish at this small school with its friendly and caring ethos. They respond readily to the high expectations that leaders and staff set. Parents and carers speak highly of the school and the education their children receive. Behaviour is good. Pupils pay attention in lessons. They move around the school calmly and sensibly. They play happily in the well-equipped outdoor areas. Staff run a lunchtime games club to enhance pupils' social skills. This is helping pupils to regain positive relationships after the time spent out of school due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pupils, parents and staff agree that pupils feel safe at school. Staff respond quickly to any concerns about bullying, although these rarely occur. Staff have made sure that pupils understand how to stay healthy. Pupils are keen to talk about the importance of eating healthy food. They know that exercise is good for them. Some said: 'It's good to make your heart beat fast and pump your blood around your body.' Pupils enjoy their lessons. They spoke enthusiastically about a range of subjects, especially physical education and mathematics. Parents praise the remote learning provided during times when the school was not fully open.

What the school should improve

• Until recently, the school's approach to the teaching of phonics did not best support pupils who struggle with reading. Some pupils in Years 1 and 2 are not yet fluent readers. A new systematic, synthetic phonics programme is being implemented from January 2022. Early signs indicate that this is going well. Staff deliver a consistent, confident approach and pupils read from books that are matched to their phonics knowledge. Leaders should ensure that the revised approach to reading enables pupils to develop quickly as fluent, confident readers.

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