Parsons Down Infant School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Under the strong leadership of the executive headteacher, leaders have improved achievement and created a 'can-do' culture for pupils across the school. Staff work well as a team and are motivated to make this school the best that it can be.

The current interim headteacher provides strong leadership. She is robust, rigorous and relentless in her drive to improve the school. She is determined that every pupil has the best opportunity to succeed, and is passionate about providing good education and care for all.

The senior team shares the headteacher's ambition for the pupils in the school. Staff new to leadership roles are currently develo...ping their skills to ensure that their work makes a real difference to pupils' learning. Leaders do not make full use of available expertise across the partnership with the adjoining junior school.

Governors have supported the school well during a period of change. Not all governors challenge leaders sufficiently well about the progress that pupils are making in their learning. Leadership of the early years is strong.

Children in the Reception classes receive a good start to their education because the rich environment and high standards of care support them to make good progress. Teaching across the school is good because of the decisive and effective action taken by senior leaders. As a consequence, outcomes for all groups of pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are improving.

Results in 2018 are stronger than in the last two years. Some teaching is not routinely challenging enough for all pupils. This means that some pupils could make even better progress than they do.

Some teachers do not assess pupils' work with sufficient accuracy to identify pupils' strengths and weaknesses. As a result, some lessons do not build upon and deepen pupils' knowledge, understanding and skills well enough. Pupils feel safe in school.

The school's safeguarding systems are meticulous and regularly checked on by governors. Pupils work and play together regardless of their age, gender or background. They behave well in class and around school.

They enjoy their leadership opportunities and know that their views will be listened to. Parents are very positive about the school. They agree that their children receive a good standard of education and are well cared for.

Information about this school

Parsons Down School is a smaller-than-average-sized infant school. The school is part of a federation with the neighbouring junior school. The majority of pupils are of White British heritage.

The proportion of pupils with SEND, and disadvantaged pupils, is lower than that found nationally. The school has undergone a significant number of staff changes in the last three years. The most recent executive headteacher took up post just prior to the last inspection and left the school in December 2018.

The current interim headteacher took up her post in January 2019. Governors are currently advertising for a permanent headteacher. The school offers before- and after-school provision at the 'twilight club'.

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