Queen Mary Avenue Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 July 2024

Pupils enjoy their time at school. They feel safe and know that there is a trusted adult they can go to if they are worried about something. Caring and positive relationships between staff and pupils are evident across the school. This contributes towards the school's warm and friendly atmosphere. The school's aim for all pupils to 'dream big, shine bright' is consistently promoted by leaders and staff. Pupils contribute well to the life of the school. They carry out roles, such as library and assembly monitors, with maturity. School councillors play an active part in sharing their ideas with leaders. Recently, they have helped to select new resources for the early years playground and interviewed applicants for new jobs at the school. The school supports parents and carers well to ensure that pupils attend school. Most pupils attend school regularly. However, a small but significant group of pupils miss too much school. These pupils do not do as well in their learning. They have gaps in their knowledge. Some find it difficult to build strong relationships with their peers. Pupils with high levels of attendance, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), achieve well.

What the school should improve

• The school has not established a consistent approach to develop pupils' fluency in reading. Some pupils do not read fluently. This reduces the impact of the school's reading curriculum. The school should further develop strategies to support pupils' fluency in their reading.
• In some foundation subjects, the important knowledge that pupils must learn has not been broken down sufficiently. Curriculum plans in recently revised subjects lack the precision required to support non-specialist teachers. The school should continue to refine these curriculum plans so that teachers know what pupils must learn.

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