Chilworth CofE (Aided) Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Everyone is made to feel welcome at this vibrant village school. Pupils are nurtured exceptionally well by staff who understand children's needs.

Pupils feel happy and free to thrive in the knowledge that there is always a trusted adult to talk to if they are ever worried or sad.

The school establishes high expectations and consistent routines as soon as children start in the Nursery or Reception classes. Pupils respond well to this, building friendly and respectful relationships with staff.

At social times, pupils are considerate of one another. They make sure everyone is included in playground games.

Pupils achieve highly.

The school is as...pirational in its aims for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils learn an ambitious curriculum which encourages curiosity. Staff regularly discuss thought-provoking news items with pupils, in age-appropriate ways.

Pupils are taught to love and help one another so the world can be a better place. There are many opportunities for pupils to be responsible in their roles as eco warriors, faith ambassadors and playground buddies. The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular clubs, musical events and outdoor learning opportunities.

Pupils are well prepared, emotionally, socially and academically for the next stage of their education.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school has a strong, shared vision that every pupil will achieve highly and overcome any barriers to learning. The school has developed a broad and ambitious curriculum, which builds sequentially from the Nursery to Year 2.

Some foundation curriculum subjects have recently been refined so that teachers know the precise knowledge pupils must understand. The curriculum in the Nursery and Reception classes offer children an excellent start to their school lives. Staff focus on the most important aspects of pupils' foundational learning.

They develop activities which incorporate children's interests. Children find the curriculum irresistible and become deeply engrossed in meaningful play for sustained periods of time. Adults interact skilfully with children, modelling language and facilitating discussion.

Children absorb and master language, including technical vocabulary. They develop the confidence to learn independently as they sculpt with clay, paint pictures and build large structures.

Staff are expert teachers of phonics.

Right from the start, pupils learn to recognise sounds through familiar stories, songs and rhymes. Pupils are inspired to develop a love of reading. They experience a carefully planned range of stories, poems and information books within the curriculum.

Pupils enjoy the books their teachers read to them daily. In Reception, staff spark pupils' imaginations as they bring drawings of imaginary characters to life through role play. Pupils write independently about their characters with great enthusiasm.

They read and write purposefully, developing confidence and resilience. Staff notice any pupils who struggle to read. Pupils with SEND have their needs identified quickly.

The school provides expert help and support, so pupils achieve well. The majority of pupils read fluently by the end of Year 1.Staff routinely check to make sure pupils understand what they are learning.

They pick up on misconceptions and address them straight away. Teachers revisit key curriculum knowledge frequently to help pupils understand and remember it long term. Teachers use questioning effectively, to help pupils deepen their understanding and make connections between different subjects in the curriculum.

Resources are used effectively, so that all pupils are supported to learn the same ambitious curriculum. In a small number of subjects, which have recently been refined, sometimes teaching activities are not as well matched to the intended learning as they could be. This sometimes limits pupils' learning.

Pupils behave well. They understand the school values and strive to live up to them. They show high levels of responsibility as they use the school's extensive playground equipment.

When pupils struggle to attend, the school makes sure that it understands families' needs. This helps it to do all it can to support pupils' regular attendance.

The school's excellent programme for wider opportunities enables pupils to develop their interests and build valuable life skills.

Pupils frequently learn through school trips, visits and outdoor learning. Pupils are taught how to be responsible citizens in modern Britain. They learn about different faiths and the importance of listening to each other's opinions respectfully.

Pupils learn to care for the environment. Pupils have a strong understanding of how to stay safe while using the internet and playing outdoors.

Governors understand their statutory responsibilities.

They do all they can to ensure that improvements to the school do not affect staff's workload. They are determined that pupils will experience an excellent start to their education in this caring, ambitious school.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In a small minority of foundation subjects, the tasks that pupils are given do not always help them to gain a deep understanding of the curriculum. As a result, some pupils do not achieve as well as they could in some subjects. The school should support staff to design work that enables pupils to achieve the school's ambitious aims for them in every subject.

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