Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy

Overview

Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy is described as an “inclusive and welcoming school” where pupils are “happy and confident.” The report highlights an “exceptional” commitment to personal and social development, supported by a curriculum that is “ambitious, relevant and well considered.”

Strengths

• Personal development is an “exceptionally strong feature,” with British values well taught and differences celebrated through initiatives like culture week.
• The curriculum is clear about what pupils need to know, with effective focus on improving literacy and reading skills.
• Pupils benefit from a “vast array of additional activities,” including clubs and educational visits, fostering high engagement and creativity.
• Staff are “knowledgeable and passionate,” using assessment effectively to identify understanding, while providing high-quality support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• An “excellent careers programme” prepares pupils well for future education and employment through guidance and taster weeks.

Areas to improve

• Systems for checking and addressing gaps in knowledge must be strengthened, as some pupils do not retain learning over time, limiting depth of understanding.
• Attendance rates, particularly persistent absence among vulnerable pupils, have declined and require clear strategic direction to improve.
• Governors’ strategic understanding of some aspects of the school’s work requires further development.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.