Puss Bank School and Nursery

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 June 2026

Pupils at Puss Bank School and Nursery are happy and feel safe. They come to school keen to learn and they attend well. Across the school, relationships between staff and pupils are warm and caring. Some of the most vulnerable pupils benefit from softer starts to the school day, which help them move calmly into learning activities. This care means that pupils are well looked after and confident that staff will help them with any worries. The school's four promises to 'be ambitious, be kind, be safe and be responsible' run through daily life and shape how pupils behave and treat others. Pupils enjoy opportunities to socialise and play well together at breaktimes. Bullying is rare and pupils trust staff to deal with any incidents that occur quickly. Pupils enjoy their lessons, make secure progress and typically achieve as well as pupils nationally, especially in reading. In a small number of other subjects, their knowledge is less secure. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils receive the help they need to learn and to take part in lessons. They benefit from a school community that is highly inclusive. Children across the early years get off to a positive start. Staff come to know them well before they join and spot any difficulties early. Reading is prioritised from the start. In Reception, staff teach phonics clearly and children build their language and communication with growing confidence. As a result, they gain the early reading knowledge and confidence they need for the move into Year 1. Pupils gain a rich understanding of the world around them. They participate in clubs, educational visits and residential trips. Pupils support local charities and hold roles such as eco warriors and trust councillors. Weekly assemblies celebrate pupils' successes and promote fundamental British values. This equips pupils well for life beyond school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to strengthen staff's subject knowledge in a very small number of subjects and make sure that teachers pick up any misconceptions that pupils may have so that pupils build secure knowledge across the curriculum.
• Leaders should continue to embed the improvements in mathematics so that pupils, especially disadvantaged pupils, achieve well in national tests.
• Leaders should continue to ensure that learning activities in the early years are meaningful and purposeful so that all children learn as well as they can.

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