Castle School, Cambridge

Overview

Pupils enjoy attending this special school, where they are welcomed into a "nurturing environment" and cared for by adults who understand their specific needs. Leaders have taken "swift, considered action to redesign the curriculum," particularly in English and mathematics, leading to improved learning for many. However, the overall effectiveness is judged as "Requires improvement" because curriculum updates in other subjects are still being finalised, and reading comprehension in the secondary phase is not yet fully developed.

Strengths

• Pupils are "polite and respectful," learning in a "calm and well-ordered environment" with "rarely any disruption."
• The primary phase reading provision is strong, with many pupils becoming "fluent readers" through consistent phonics teaching.
• Staff use detailed knowledge of individuals to "sensitively intervene" when pupils lose focus, ensuring learning progresses smoothly.
• A "comprehensive enrichment offer" helps pupils develop independence and prepares them effectively for adult life and transitions.
• Governors provide "improved scrutiny" of leadership actions, and staff work well together to support pupil success.

Areas to improve

• The school must complete curriculum updates in all subjects so teachers can precisely identify what to teach and check for knowledge gaps.
• Secondary reading provision needs development to ensure pupils build "comprehension and inference" skills, not just fluency.
• All staff require training in "bespoke pedagogical approaches" to select the most appropriate resources for pupils’ personal learning goals.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."