Abbots Langley Pre-School 'requires improvement' says Ofsted

An inspection in March at Abbots Langley Pre-School showed signs of “multiple” safeguarding breaches, but a recent revisit shows that some improvements have been made.

Nevertheless, the school in St Lawrence Church Hall still requires improvement in all areas inspected – including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership and management.

The visit on September 8 showed that the quality of teaching is “not consistently good”, and staff were unclear about what children need to learn next to make good progress.

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Some activities were also not well resourced, as the report states there was no water or paint for children when using paintbrushes outdoors.

The report said: "Staff do not always present information clearly to children and some children are not clear about what they are meant to do during an activity.

"For example, staff sing a welcome song, but children do not know when to sing their name. Children are invited to draw their own faces after looking in a mirror, but this is too advanced for some children and not advanced enough for others. Children lose interest."

However the school watchdog also made clear that there were signs of improvements being made.

Previously there were safeguarding concerns, with staff unsure “how to respond to signs of potential radicalisation”.

Ofsted recognises improvements are being made. Credit: PA (Image: PA)

Past inspections showed staff did not know the name of children, and pupils were “frequently bored” before their behaviour deteriorated.

In the latest report, it was said that children settle in securely and feel safe at the school – adding that staff engagement with children has improved.

The manager was said to be ambitious about the school’s future, but she also recognised the work still left to do. Ofsted said plans for improvement were “promising”.

A new curriculum that supports all children is also progressing and children warmly seek help from familiar adults when needed.

Abbots Langley Pre-School was approached for a comment, but have issued no response.

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