Shinfield Infant and Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 February 2025

The school is a friendly place where children feel safe and flourish. The school's vision, 'we care, we learn, we achieve', is evident in daily life. Pupils take pride in attending this school and appreciate the genuine care from staff. They know there is always someone to talk to if they have any concerns. The school sets high expectations of what pupils can achieve, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils meet these expectations and are keen to learn. Teachers present learning in engaging ways that foster pupils' enthusiasm for learning. From the early years, children learn to work independently, behave well and treat each other with kindness. Teachers plan events that extend and enrich the school's curriculum, for example, visiting a planetarium and interacting with animals. Pupils participate in village events, school clubs and activities that develop their interests and talents. During breaktimes, pupils engage in play joyfully, eagerly tackling challenges on the large play equipment while sharing conversation with friends. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. One parent summarised the sentiment of many, commenting, 'Shinfield is such a warm, kind and caring place to be. Everyone that works there makes my son feel special.'

What the school should improve

• Many pupils do not have the skills to write letters that are well-formed and joined. As a result, their handwriting is not routinely fluent or accurate. The school should ensure the new handwriting strategies help pupils improve their handwriting skills effectively and consistently.

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