Ofsted
Following our Ofsted inspection on 13th May 2025, please follow the link to the final inspection report.
We are incredibly proud to say that Pine Ridge Infant School continues to be a ‘GOOD’ school.
Evidence gathered during this ungraded (section 8) inspection suggests that the school’s work may have improved significantly across all areas since the previous inspection. The school’s next inspection will be a graded inspection.
The headteacher of this school is Karen Ney. This school is part of GLF Schools, which means other people in the trust also have responsibility for running the school.
What is it like to attend this school? Pupils enjoy learning at this inspirational school. Staff have a deep understanding of young children’s needs. They provide pupils with boundless opportunities to explore and learn. Pupils are encouraged to be curious and ask questions about the world around them. They thrive and make rapid progress through the curriculum.
Pupils enjoy an interesting and well-sequenced curriculum. They rise to the exceptionally high expectations and share the joy in learning. They are confident that staff know them well and will make sure that everyone gets the help they might need. Staff are experts in modelling language. They teach pupils ambitious technical vocabulary in every subject. Staff use pictures and resources effectively so all pupils can take part in high-quality discussions. Pupils focus intently in lessons. They behave kindly and respectfully around school and during social times.
Pupils thrive on the many opportunities to develop their talents and interests. They learn new skills such as how to play tennis and take part in sporting events. Trips to sites of historic interest widen their understanding of the local area. Visitors to school such as farmers and local vets show pupils different ways of helping in the community.
The expectation that ‘everyone will try their best and succeed’ underpins the vision for excellence shared by all here. The school identifies pupils who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities and takes effective action to support them. Staff understand pupils’ needs well. The school focuses relentlessly on strategies which enable pupils to overcome any barriers to learning. Everything it does is meticulously chosen to support pupils to achieve highly. Right from Reception, the school helps children to develop their independence. Pupils delight in using resources which they have learned to work with responsibly and confidently.
The school places reading firmly at the heart of the curriculum. Staff have highly effective professional development and are experts at teaching phonics. Children begin their school day in a joyful atmosphere of song and rhyme, which helps them to develop their early listening skills. Staff regularly read stories to pupils. Pupils read every day in lessons. Many children begin school with very low starting points in speech, language and communication. Some are at the early stages of learning to speak English as an additional language. Any children and pupils who struggle benefit from expert, tailored support. Most become fluent readers by the end of Year 2.
Teachers have excellent subject knowledge. They know precisely what pupils must understand and in which order in every curriculum subject. Staff are adept at designing activities and using resources to help pupils develop their understanding of language. This is so they can access the curriculum. In the Nursery and Reception Years, staff skilfully teach the curriculum through children’s interests. Children are engrossed in learning and sustain high levels of concentration. Staff systematically check for understanding and pick up on any misconceptions so that no pupil falls behind. Many pupils join the school at untypical times. Those who do so benefit from frequent opportunities to revisit the most important concepts in the curriculum regularly. Pupils practise new learning resiliently, achieving fluency in number, reading and writing.
The school has high expectations for pupils’ behaviour. It teaches pupils consistent routines and how to manage their emotions. Pupils learn to respect the environment and take pride in tidying up their classrooms at the end of the day. Relationships between staff and pupils are respectful. Pupils know they can talk to any member of staff if they are worried or sad.
The school helps pupils to widen their horizons exceptionally well. Every opportunity is taken to ignite pupils’ ambitions through learning about different roles in the world of work. Pupils contribute to the school community through their participation in house teams and as school councillors. Pupils learn that their voices matter, as they are consulted through the school council about changes to daily school life. Pupils develop an appreciation of each other’s opinions and faiths through the religious education curriculum and through visits to local places of worship.
The school maintains a forensic analysis of pupils’ attendance. Leaders take swift action to ensure any absent pupils are safe. Staff understand pupils’ needs well and support families effectively. The school does all it can to help families overcome any barriers to attendance. Everyone is united in their determination to give pupils a truly excellent start to their education. Governors are knowledgeable and use their considerable skills to support and challenge the school effectively. Staff and parents are unanimously proud to be part of this aspirational school.
We are immensely grateful to our highly committed teachers and support staff who work extremely hard, every day, to make Pine Ridge Infant School the best that it can be.
Pine Ridge Infant School Welcome Video
To go to Pine Ridge Infant School's page on the Ofsted website please click here.
For further information about the school's performance follow this link to the Department for Education website.
An Academy within GLF Schools
GLF Schools is a Multi-Academy Trust of 43 schools serving over 17,000 people aged 2 to 19. The Trust comprises 8 secondary schools and 35 primary settings across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex and the London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Croydon. Each school serves the needs of their own communities, but they are united by the desire to deliver excellent educational outcomes.
