The Orchard Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 May 2026

This is a school where pupils feel safe, valued and happy to belong. Pupils enjoy learning and are curious about new topics. They understand that learning builds over time, for example explaining how small steps, such as learning sounds, help them to write words, then sentences and eventually create stories. Pupils recognise that everyone may need extra help at times and see this as a normal part of learning. The school values of respect, kindness, determination and courage are highly visible and well understood by children from the early years onwards. Pupils can explain how they show these values in their classrooms and around the school. They are proud to receive values medals in weekly assemblies and take their responsibility to return them seriously so others can be recognised next time. Pupils also enjoy being rewarded for positive behaviour in class, for example by earning their place on the class rainbows. Pupils enjoy making friends and appreciate one another’s differences. They speak openly about feeling loved at school and are confident that help is always available if they need it. Pupils trust staff and are sure that any problems will be resolved quickly and fairly. They understand that adults want them to be kind, try their best and keep learning. Attendance at the school is very high. The school’s rich wider opportunities enrich pupils’ experiences further. Pupils speak enthusiastically about the broad range of clubs and trips that they experience. They currently enjoy weekly circus skills sessions where they practise their school value of determination. Children contribute positively to their school community through a range of leadership roles. As school councillors, they help leaders make decisions and lead initiatives such as reducing litter at school and taking part in litter picks in the local area. In class, pupils show responsibility through roles such as recycling rangers, helping to promote sustainability.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should further develop their systems to check how well all subjects are being taught so that leaders develop an astute understanding of what is working well and what needs to be improved across the whole curriculum.
• Leaders should improve consistency in the early years by ensuring that all staff maximise the impact of high-quality interactions throughout the day to further deepen children's learning.

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