Castle Camps Church of England Primary School, located in Cambridge, has recently undergone an inspection, receiving a commendable rating of good across all key areas including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The school is characterized by a strong sense of community where pupils embrace the vision of life in all its fullness. Leaders are committed to ensuring that every pupil achieves their potential, fostering a positive learning environment where students are eager to learn and participate in school activities.
The school is noted for its inclusive atmosphere, where pupils feel valued and cared for by dedicated staff. Parents and carers express high regard for the individualized attention their children receive, which contributes to a supportive and nurturing environment. Pupils demonstrate kindness towards one another, with junior play leaders actively promoting enjoyable playtimes and serving as role models for their peers. The school has established clear rules that pupils understand and follow, resulting in consistently good behaviour. Additionally, pupils are educated on safety, both online and in their communities, and they recognize the importance of healthy eating.
The school is ambitious for all its pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. It effectively identifies and meets the needs of these students, ensuring they can access the same broad curriculum as their peers. Individual learning plans are in place for some pupils, helping to identify and overcome barriers to learning. The school has implemented a well-structured phonics program that begins as soon as children start school, enabling them to become confident and fluent readers. Staff are trained to teach phonics effectively, and they quickly address any reading difficulties that arise.
In addition to reading, the mathematics curriculum is ambitious and well-planned, allowing pupils to develop their knowledge and skills progressively from Reception to Year Six. However, some subject curriculums are currently being redeveloped, and the specific knowledge that pupils need to acquire is not yet clearly defined in all areas. This can lead to gaps in knowledge for some pupils, as the assessment processes in these subjects are not as established as in others.
Pupils learn with minimal disruption and exhibit excellent manners, contributing to a harmonious school environment. The personal development curriculum is robust, offering a variety of opportunities for pupils to develop their character and leadership skills. They are encouraged to take on roles such as school council members and house captains, and experiences such as visits to the Houses of Parliament enhance their understanding of democracy and modern Britain. The school’s values of wisdom, respect, love, courage, community, and hope are integrated into daily life, helping pupils understand their importance.
The early years provision is well-structured, providing a calm and stimulating environment for children to thrive. Children quickly adapt to school routines and demonstrate cooperation and support for one another. The governing body is committed to the school, providing a balance of support and challenge to leaders. Staff express high levels of job satisfaction, appreciating the support they receive for their workload and well-being.
The safeguarding arrangements at the school are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. To further improve, the school should focus on clearly identifying the essential knowledge pupils need to learn in all subjects and embedding effective assessment strategies to ensure that all pupils can build on their knowledge systematically. Overall, Castle Camps Church of England Primary School is a nurturing and ambitious institution that prioritizes the well-being and development of its pupils.
