Lift Caldicotes

Overview

Caldicotes Primary Academy is described as a school that “supports and encourages every pupil to achieve their full potential.” The inspection highlights a “positive and calm atmosphere for learning” where pupils behave very well and make good progress, particularly in reading. The early years provision is noted as “Outstanding,” with children getting off to a “flying start” and becoming “confident and independent learners.”

Strengths

• Early years provision is “Outstanding,” with staff adapting learning opportunities “exceptionally well” to ensure no barriers to achievement.
• Reading is “at the heart of the school curriculum,” with “highly effective” teaching ensuring pupils read accurately and fluently.
• Behaviour is supported by “clear and consistent routines” and the introduction of ‘CLAP’ to promote purposeful play and calm spaces.
• The curriculum is “broad and aspirational,” with accurate assessment of needs for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Pupils benefit from a “clear and structured PSRHE programme,” gaining confidence in discussing topics like healthy relationships and online safety.

Areas to improve

• In some subjects, pupils lack the “prior knowledge needed for new content to be introduced successfully”; the school should help teachers identify essential concepts and use assessment data effectively.
• Many pupils struggle to explain their thinking; the school must prioritise “the development of oracy across the curriculum” and ensure teachers have the skills to promote discussion.
• Pupils’ understanding of different faiths and cultures is “more limited”; leaders should develop opportunities to deepen this knowledge across the curriculum.

Safeguarding

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