Thomas Russell Infants School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 4 to 7
Ofsted: Good

Station Road, Barton-Under-Needwood, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 8DSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Thomas Russell Infants School is a primary school in Burton-on-Trent for ages 4 to 7. It is one of the 451 schools in Staffordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 11 July 2023, report published 24 September 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 July 2023

Each morning, pupils arrive at Thomas Russell Infants school happy and eager to learn. Warm and appropriate relationships with adults help them to feel cared for. Leaders and teachers put the needs of pupils first and care deeply for all of them. Pupils feel safe in school and say, 'There are nice people here: no bullies, just good friends.' Leaders have developed an exciting and ambitious curriculum. They want all pupils to achieve well. For most, this ambition is realised. However, for some pupils, expectations are too high or not challenging enough. This leads to a small number of pupils having to spend time waiting for others to catch up and some not being able to complete learning activities. Pupils behave well in lessons and on the playground. They move around school in a calm and sensible way. Pupils take it in turns to be play leaders and carry out their roles responsibly. Leaders teach pupils to be responsible citizens of the future. They are confident and are keen to talk about school life. The variety of clubs on offer enable pupils to develop a wide range of interests and talents that extend beyond the classroom.

What the school should improve

  • Teachers do not consistently adapt the curriculum to meet pupils' needs, particularly pupils with SEND. This means that some pupils spend time waiting in lessons or not being able to complete work provided because it is too difficult. Leaders need to provide further support and development to ensure that teachers adapt and refine the curriculum effectively, to enable all pupils to achieve well.
  • Pupils struggle to recall parts of the curriculum that develop an understanding of different cultures and fundamental British values. Their knowledge of these concepts is not developed well enough. As a result, they do not have secure understanding of life in modern Britain. Leaders should ensure that pupils have a secure understanding of fundamental British values and the many different cultures that exist outside of their community.

Pupil numbers and mix

167 pupils on roll, with places for 180

Eligible for free school meals4.8%

4.8%, 21.7 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0%

0%, 21.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support9%

9%, 5.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.2%

1.2%, 4.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Thomas Russell Infants School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Thomas Russell Junior School0.2 milesOfsted: Outstanding78% met the expected standard
Walton On Trent CofE Primary and Nursery School2 milesOfsted: Good42% met the expected standard
Rykneld Primary School3 milesOfsted: Good81% met the expected standard
All Saints Church of England Primary and Nursery School3 milesOfsted: Requires improvement75% met the expected standard
Branston Locks Primary and Nursery School3 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
JOHN TAYLOR MAT
Age range
4 to 7
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Headteacher Suzy Burton
Address
Station Road, Barton-Under-Needwood, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 8DS
Local authority
Staffordshire
URN
142748

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.