South Ossett Infant Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 5 December 2023

Pupils understand the importance of being kind and considerate. They treat each other with respect. Pupils consider the feelings and opinions of others. They build strong relationships with staff. Pupils learn to consider the impact of their actions on other pupils in their class and the school community. Staff help pupils to recognise their own emotions. Pupils learn routines that allow them to move around school calmly and with focus. Staff deliberately teach these routines and give pupils the opportunity to practise them. The teaching of these routines begins in the early years, helping children to develop independence and maturity. They develop learning habits that will support them with their future education. Pupils are polite and well mannered. They enjoy helping each other. For example, Year 2 'lunchtime servers' value the opportunities they are given to help their younger friends during lunchtimes. When asked what they would do if other pupils forgot to say please or thank you, one Year 2 helper responded, 'We have never had to do that, everybody says please and thank you here.' Pupils are enthusiastic in their lessons. They are keen to learn. Leaders are alert to supporting families when pupils' attendance is lower than it should be.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum does not provide sufficient opportunities to revisit learning. Pupils do not have enough occasions to practise and deepen the knowledge they have been taught. This has an impact on all pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND. The school should ensure that the curriculum sequencing in all subjects provides all pupils, with the best chance of building their knowledge over time.
• The school's support strategies for pupils with SEND are not precisely matched to their needs. This has an impact on how well some pupils with SEND achieve. The school should ensure that the information they gather about the needs of pupils with SEND is used to inform the support that they receive to access high-quality learning.
• Although pupils are not at risk of serious harm, the school's recording of the actions it takes to protect them sometimes lack precision. The decisions that the school makes about how to keep pupils safe are not fully analysed to inform future action. The school should ensure that leaders' actions to keep pupils safe are sufficiently detailed to enable leaders to evaluate their impact carefully.

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