Unstone St Mary's Nursery & Infant School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 May 2024

Pupils are happy as they arrive at Unstone St Mary's Nursery and Infant School. Children in the early years give their parents a cheery wave as they head down 'Ladybird Lane' into their classroom. Well-established routines help pupils to feel safe and secure. Pupils know that their teachers care for them and look out for them. The school has identified three core principles that underpin the work that they do. These are: pupils' right to be heard, right to be safe and right to learn. Pupils are expected to work hard and give of their best in lessons. These high expectations of pupils are realised. Pupils listen when asked. If their teacher says: 'Macaroni cheese', pupils respond: 'Everybody freeze'. Then, all eyes are on the teacher. They are expected to be a good friend to others at all times. Playtimes and lunchtimes are full of fun. Pupils who find it more difficult to manage their behaviour receive well considered support. They have time and space to regulate before re-joining their lessons. Parents and carers are of one voice in their praise for the school. One parent commented, 'The teachers and staff are fantastic. I have no doubt that my child is happy and cared for.'

What the school should improve

• The school has not kept a close enough eye on the teaching of phonics. It has not identified that there are occasions when the delivery of phonics lacks sufficient precision. This may slow pupils' ability to acquire new sounds and learn to read. The school should ensure that the phonics programme is effectively monitored so that staff can be targeted with the right training and support.
• The school does not identify the targets for pupils with SEND, or the strategies that will be used to support them, with enough precision. There is a lack of clarity about the progress these pupils have made and which of the strategies used have worked well. The school should ensure that the plans they produce for pupils with SEND provide sufficient detail so that all staff know the goals that have been set and how they should be supported to reach them.
• Assessment is not fully developed in some of the foundation subjects. Gaps in pupils' learning are not always quickly identified or addressed. Leaders should refine their approach to assessment in these subjects is established so that teachers can accurately identify what pupils know and remember of the intended learning.

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