Shirley Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 March 2025

This is a caring and welcoming school which focuses on making sure everyone is included in all aspects of school life. Pupils thrive in this nurturing and supportive environment. The school is ambitious for pupils. They have established a coherent and well-structured curriculum. Pupils achieve well across subjects. They recall their learning with enthusiasm and are well-prepared for their transition to junior school. The strong commitment to inclusivity is reflected in the school's ethos. Leaders, alongside governors and the trust, base decisions on 'every child, every chance, every day.' There is a focus on ensuring that pupils have access to all aspects of school life, including a range of extra-curricular clubs. Routines for school life begin in the early years. Staff support pupils to understand the school's approach to behaviour management. Pupils talk gleefully about the ways that adults help to sort out any problems they may have. This helps them to feel safe. Playtimes are happy occasions. Pupils share and take turns to use the equipment. They make sure that no one is left out of their games.

What the school should improve

• Staff do not consistently use the school's approach to checking pupil's understanding during lessons. This means that some pupils have gaps in their knowledge and do not learn as deeply as they could. The school should continue to embed their expected pedagogical approaches.
• In the early years, adults do not always deepen learning through targeted conversations. This means that children's communication and language is not always developed in line with leaders' expectations. Leaders need to continue to train staff so they have the skills needed to deepen children's understanding and use of key vocabulary.

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