Southwood Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 19 April 2023

Pupils are extremely happy to come to this nurturing school, where staff know each child as an individual. The school values of excellence, respect and enjoyment permeate through every aspect of school life. Leaders have high expectations that every pupil will follow an ambitious curriculum and develop skills to foster a lifelong love of learning. Pupils attain well and are well prepared for the move to junior school. As one parent comments, the school is 'friendly and welcoming - the perfect start in life'. In the playground, leaders have deliberately designed an environment encouraging socialisation, positive relationships and friendship. At break and lunchtimes, pupils delight in playing together on the trim trail, dressing up, riding bikes and re-enacting stories with puppets for each other. 'Playground pals' read while waiting at the 'buddy bench', ready to help anyone who might be feeling lonely. Pupils enjoy contributing to the school and wider community. They serve as eco- team members, school councillors and class helpers. The school choir sings at local business and shopping centres. Pupils in Year 2 recently won their local dance competition with a composition about living mindfully to promote mental health in a pressured world.

What the school should improve

• Leaders are still in the process of refining the exact knowledge and skills that must be taught in some foundation curriculum subjects. These subjects are not taught as precisely as they could be. Leaders should continue their work on the curriculum, ensuring that teachers know exactly what pupils must understand and remember.
• Some curriculum leaders are new to the school, or else new to the subjects they lead. They are not yet subject experts. Senior leaders should continue to develop curriculum leaders so that they, in turn, can support teachers' pedagogical and assessment practice.

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