Mudeford Community Infants School in Christchurch maintains ‘good’ Ofsted rating

AN infant school in Christchurch where pupils feel “happy and safe” has maintained its ‘good’ rating following its latest Ofsted inspection.

Following a two-day inspection of Mudeford Community Infants School on Queen’s Road last month, Ofsted inspectors found it has “community rules” at its heart.

They wrote: “Committed staff are always on hand if pupils have a worry or need help. Playtimes are fun because there are many activities, such as football, cheerleading, hula hooping and exploring the climbing frame.

“Pupils experience lots of exciting visits as part of their curriculum themes; for example, to a science museum and the local coastline. Many visitors extend pupils’ curriculum knowledge, for example learning about Shabbat.”

Safeguarding arrangements at the school, which has 180 pupils aged four to seven, were described in the report as “effective”.

Highlighting areas for improvement at the school, inspectors wrote: “There are occasions when staff do not adapt their teaching to address pupils’ misconceptions when they arise, or teaching does not meet pupils’ individualised targets precisely.

“This slows a minority of pupils’ learning down. The school must ensure that teaching is adapted consistently well so that all pupils can thrive in their learning.

“Leaders have not yet refined some specific subject content to provide pupils with deeper knowledge across a few subjects. Pupils do not always learn the depth of knowledge they could.

“The school must ensure that all aspects of the wider curriculum include the necessary subject content that pupils need to achieve highly.”