Speedwell Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 October 2024

Pupils love attending their school. From the moment they start, they get the help and support that they need to live up to the school's high expectations. From their starting points, pupils achieve well. Relationships are consistently positive. Staff know pupils well. They take good care of them. They help pupils to be independent and curious. In return, pupils appreciate the adults they work with. As one pupil said, 'They are really nice. They help us to learn and to be clever'. Pupils behave well. The school's 'Golden Rules' are commonly understood and applied. These include aspirations for pupils to be gentle, kind and helpful. Other rules involve pupils listening, being honest, working hard and looking after property. They achieve this the vast majority of the time. Pupils are motivated by the incentives on offer, including earning 'raffle tickets' and being selected as 'star of the week' in the weekly celebrations assembly. Pupils who need extra help to follow the school's rules receive good quality guidance and support. Pupils look after each other. They are eager to help if anyone is hurt or upset. They learn to value themselves and others. As one pupil explained, 'We are all unique'.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the curriculum lacks precision about the key knowledge that pupils are expected to acquire and retain. In these subjects, pupils may not know and remember key content over time. The school should make sure that all subjects are clearly defined with the content that pupils are expected to know and commit to their long-term memory.
• In a small number of areas, the early years curriculum is not fully planned and sequenced. In these places, it does not make clear the important milestones that children are expected to achieve as they progress through the Nursery and Reception Years. The school should ensure that, across all areas of learning, the early years curriculum is fully planned, sequenced and makes clear the milestones that children are expected to achieve.
• Some pupils' knowledge of British values and different faiths is inconsistent. Although they know to respect difference, some are not as aware as they should be of what these differences may be. Leaders should ensure that pupils have the necessary knowledge and understanding of British values and different faiths.

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