Ofsted ‘good’ rating
Heacham Infants has been awarded with a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating, with inspectors highlighting its “rich and exciting” curriculum and singling out both staff and children for praise.
Our school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, was praised for its curriculum, as well as the “admirable” behaviour and “positive attitudes to learning” of its 112 pupils, who range in age from two to seven.
“All pupils value the interesting curriculum and events, including special guests who enhance their lessons,” said the report. “Pupils enjoy being at school. They feel safe, happy and well looked after. Pupils’ behaviour is often admirable. They have positive attitudes to learning.
“At Heacham Infant School, everyone is comfortable being an individual. Pupils treat each other well, regardless of their differences.”
The report continued: “Pupils demonstrate maturity in the way they behave. They are polite and friendly towards each other. Leaders make sure that everyone is valued. They help pupils to become ambitious yet well-rounded young people.”
In the early years, the school's leaders create a "love of learning through a rich and exciting curriculum".
The Ofsted report continued: “Leaders have ensured that the curriculum flows seamlessly from the very start of the nursery to the end of the reception year. Children take part in a range of activities that help them develop their behaviour and literary skills.
“Parents receive regular updates about their children’s progress and how best to help them at home."
Parents too were found to be happy with Heacham, with the report adding: “There are warm relationships with parents who speak highly of the school.”
Ofsted inspectors carried out ‘deep dives’ into early reading, mathematics, science and geography at the school, discussing the curriculum with subject leaders, visiting lessons, speaking to teachers and children, and looking at samples of pupils’ work.
They found “teachers regularly check what pupils know and understand”, including making “regular checks to test the knowledge and skills of pupils”.
“Leaders are determined that pupils will be fluent, confident readers by the time they leave Year 2,” they noted. “This journey starts when children start school at two years old.
“Staff immerse them in song, rhyme, poems and books… The school has a superb range of quality reading materials which are found in every corner of the school.”
Safeguarding at the school also received positive mention in their findings, along with the staff’s “consistent approach to teaching mathematics”.
“They plan carefully ordered lessons which help pupils build what they know,” wrote the inspectors.
Headteacher, Louise Jackson, said: “We are delighted that Heacham Infant and Nursery School has received a ‘good’ Ofsted rating.
“The rating reflects the continuing hard work of our staff and children, and we will continue to work to ensure our high standards are maintained and Heacham remains an enjoyable and nourishing environment for all.”
“All pupils value the interesting curriculum and events, including special guests who enhance their lessons,” said the report. “Pupils enjoy being at school. They feel safe, happy and well looked after. Pupils’ behaviour is often admirable. They have positive attitudes to learning.
“At Heacham Infant School, everyone is comfortable being an individual. Pupils treat each other well, regardless of their differences.”
The report continued: “Pupils demonstrate maturity in the way they behave. They are polite and friendly towards each other. Leaders make sure that everyone is valued. They help pupils to become ambitious yet well-rounded young people.”
In the early years, the school's leaders create a "love of learning through a rich and exciting curriculum".
The Ofsted report continued: “Leaders have ensured that the curriculum flows seamlessly from the very start of the nursery to the end of the reception year. Children take part in a range of activities that help them develop their behaviour and literary skills.
“Parents receive regular updates about their children’s progress and how best to help them at home."
Parents too were found to be happy with Heacham, with the report adding: “There are warm relationships with parents who speak highly of the school.”
Ofsted inspectors carried out ‘deep dives’ into early reading, mathematics, science and geography at the school, discussing the curriculum with subject leaders, visiting lessons, speaking to teachers and children, and looking at samples of pupils’ work.
They found “teachers regularly check what pupils know and understand”, including making “regular checks to test the knowledge and skills of pupils”.
“Leaders are determined that pupils will be fluent, confident readers by the time they leave Year 2,” they noted. “This journey starts when children start school at two years old.
“Staff immerse them in song, rhyme, poems and books… The school has a superb range of quality reading materials which are found in every corner of the school.”
Safeguarding at the school also received positive mention in their findings, along with the staff’s “consistent approach to teaching mathematics”.
“They plan carefully ordered lessons which help pupils build what they know,” wrote the inspectors.
Headteacher, Louise Jackson, said: “We are delighted that Heacham Infant and Nursery School has received a ‘good’ Ofsted rating.
“The rating reflects the continuing hard work of our staff and children, and we will continue to work to ensure our high standards are maintained and Heacham remains an enjoyable and nourishing environment for all.”