Cartmel CofE Primary School

Overview

Cartmel CofE Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a “friendly and nurturing school community” where pupils are “proud that their school is a happy and inclusive place.” Strong relationships between adults and pupils, alongside high staff morale, create a harmonious environment where children feel safe and eager to learn.

Strengths

• Pupils benefit from “strong, caring relationships” and a curriculum that is “well sequenced,” particularly in English and mathematics.
• Staff are “well trained” in phonics, ensuring most pupils become “fluent and confident readers” from the start of Reception.
• The school provides “effective support” for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enabling them to access the “same broad and ambitious curriculum as others.”
• Personal development is a strength, with pupils demonstrating “great maturity” and actively contributing to the local community through initiatives like fundraising and creating visitor guides.
• Teachers regularly revisit prior learning, helping pupils “know and remember more of the work that they have covered,” such as detailed knowledge of the Second World War.

Areas to improve

• The report states that “teachers do not provide enough opportunities for pupils to practise their writing skills, including in subjects other than English,” which hinders some pupils from developing as “confident writers by the end of key stage 2.”

Safeguarding

The report confirms that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”