Christ Church (Church of England) Infant and Nursery School

Inspection of Christ Church (Church of England) Infant and Nursery School Shaw Lane, Tettenhall Wood, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV6 8EL

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Early years provision Outstanding Previous inspection grade Good 10 and 11 April 2024

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What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils thrive at this school. From the moment the children start in the Nursery, they feel safe because they know adults care for them. Pupils are taught to be caring and responsible individuals. Their behaviour is exemplary in lessons, around the school and at social times. Pupils have overwhelmingly positive attitudes to learning.

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What is it like to attend this school?

The school’s motto of ‘Grow and learn together in the presence of God’ comes through all aspects of the school. Pupils are knowledgeable about Christianity, but they also have a deep understanding of different religions and cultures. They respect views and opinions that are different from their own. As one pupil said, ‘It’s okay to have different beliefs; it doesn’t matter. We just play with everyone.’

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What is it like to attend this school?

All staff have high expectations of pupils. Pupils rise to these expectations. The school’s ambitious curriculum has been carefully constructed. Leaders have thought about what pupils need to know and the skills they need to master, starting in the Nursery. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are incredibly well supported by well-trained staff. They are fully included in the life of the school and make excellent progress. At this school, no child is excluded, and all are encouraged to find their individual gifts and talents.

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better?

All staff are determined to give pupils the best start in life. As a result, pupils become confident and articulate learners. They relish the opportunity to discuss their learning and take pride in their successes. The school has established a highly ambitious curriculum for all pupils. Leaders have worked with determination to carefully identify the important knowledge and skills that pupils will learn in each subject. They have worked effectively with the federated junior school to ensure that the curriculum builds, step by step, from the Nursery Year through to Year 6. As a result, pupils leave Year 2 with the knowledge and skills they need to meet the demands of junior school.

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better?

The curriculum has reading at its heart. Books, stories and nursery rhymes have been carefully chosen to help pupils develop their understanding of the wider world, including about diverse and inspirational people. Pupils enjoy reading and appreciate the stories that teachers read to them. The phonics programme is delivered in a highly effective way. All staff are skilled and have strong subject knowledge. This means they identify quickly and address any inaccuracies or misconceptions pupils may have. This ensures pupils quickly gain the knowledge that they need to be successful readers.

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better?

Pupils with SEND are extremely successful learners. Staff swiftly identify any needs the pupils may have. This starts in the early years, where staff work closely with children and their families to ensure that support is quickly put in place. Lessons are inclusive, as staff help to remove barriers to learning for these pupils. As a result, these pupils flourish. 10 and 11 April 2024

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Children in the early years make an excellent start to school. They develop strong and trusting relationships with adults and their peers. Staff have high expectations for the children’s learning and behaviour. Children learn to use their manners, take turns and play exceptionally well together. Children are exposed to the concepts of fairness and democracy through activities such as voting for the book they want to read at story time. The ambitious curriculum ensures that the children are well prepared for their future learning.

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Pupils have an excellent understanding of issues, both locally and globally. They talk with confidence about how they raise money for local charities. Pupils have an excellent understanding of fundamental British values. They understand and respect differences. One pupil said, ‘We can all be different. For example, we can have different families. It doesn’t matter. We are all the same and we are all loved.’ The school has thought carefully about their ‘courageous advocates’ curriculum, where pupils learn about the impact of different role models from across the world. Pupils talk knowledgably about different faiths, cultures and beliefs.

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Pupils’ behaviour is excellent. Right from Nursery, children are taught to know and follow the school rules. All pupils have excellent attitudes to learning. Pupils develop their confidence and independence through having opportunities to take responsibility, such as leading worship, being playground buddies and becoming reading ambassadors.

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Governors are a force for improvement. They demonstrate strong strategic oversight and provide effective support and challenge to school leaders. Staff are all proud to work at the school and appreciate how leaders consider their workload and well- being. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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How can I feed back my views?

or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection.

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How can I feed back my views?

The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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Further information

You can search for published performance information about the school. 10 and 11 April 2024

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In the report, 'disadvantaged pupils' is used to mean pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND); pupils who meet the definition of children in need of help and protection ; pupils receiving statutory local authority support from a social worker; and pupils who otherwise meet the criteria used for deciding the school’s pupil premium funding (this includes pupils claiming free school meals at any point in the last six years, looked after children (children in local authority care) and/or children who left care through adoption or another formal route). 10 and 11 April 2024

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School details

Appropriate authority The governing body

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School details

Website www.christchurchfederation.co.uk

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School details

Dates of previous inspection 2 and 3 March 2023, under section 8 of the Education Act 2005

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Information about this school

 In September 2018 Christ Church (Church of England) Infant and Nursery School joined together with Christ Church (Church of England) Junior School to form Christ Church Federation. The headteacher of the junior school was appointed as executive headteacher for both schools. A head of school and an assistant headteacher were appointed at the infant and nursery school.  A diocesan inspection to evaluate the distinctiveness and effectiveness of the school as a Church of England school took place in May 2017. The school’s next section 48 inspection will be within eight school years.  The school does not make use of alternative provision.  The school has an after-school club that is managed by the school.  The school has a nursery that admits three-year-olds.

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Information about this inspection

The inspectors carried out this graded inspection under section 5 of the Education Act 2005. 10 and 11 April 2024

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Inspections are a point-in-time judgement about the quality of a school’s education provision.

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 Inspectors discussed any continued impact of the pandemic with the school and have taken that into account in their evaluation of the school.  Inspectors met with the executive headteacher, the head of school and other leaders. They held discussions with representatives of the local authority, the Diocese of Lichfield and members of the governing body, including the chair of the governing body.  Inspectors carried out deep dives in these subjects: reading, mathematics, science and physical education. For each deep dive, inspectors held discussions about the curriculum, visited a sample of lessons, spoke to teachers, spoke to some pupils about their learning and looked at samples of pupils’ work.  Inspectors also considered the curriculum in other subjects.  To evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding, inspectors reviewed the single central record, took account of the views of leaders, staff and pupils, and

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considered the extent to which the school has created an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts pupils’ interests first.  Inspectors spoke to pupils during lesson visits. They observed pupils’ behaviour in lessons and at breaktimes and lunchtimes. The inspectors spoke to staff about pupils’ behaviour and about their workload in the school.  The inspectors considered responses to Ofsted’s online surveys for parents, pupils and staff.

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Inspection team

Eve Morris, lead inspector His Majesty’s Inspector

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Inspection team

Helen Lowe Ofsted Inspector 10 and 11 April 2024

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regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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