Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Calthwaite Church of England School on 27 March 2019, following its previous judgment of good in March 2015. The leadership team has successfully maintained the quality of education, with Mr. J Harvey establishing himself as an effective leader since joining in January 2018. The school has a strong focus on monitoring teaching and learning, ensuring that the quality remains good. Communication with parents is effective, and they appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and the attention given to individual pupils. Parents expressed satisfaction with the school's leadership, highlighting its supportive environment.
Calthwaite is characterized as a vibrant school where pupils enjoy attending. They appreciate the diverse opportunities for academic and social development, including sporting events and trips. Positive relationships among staff and pupils contribute to a respectful environment, with pupils reporting that poor behavior is rare and swiftly addressed. The outdoor space is valued for its role in play and learning, and pupils feel happy and well cared for.
The school has addressed previous areas for improvement, particularly in enhancing early years' progress through outdoor learning. Significant investment has expanded the outdoor space, providing varied learning opportunities that support children's physical development. Middle leaders are now effectively monitoring their areas of responsibility, ensuring a clear understanding of standards and provision. The focus on improving spelling ability continues, with daily lessons tailored to pupils' needs, resulting in noticeable progress.
Safeguarding measures are robust, with clear procedures in place to protect pupils. Staff are well-trained and aware of their responsibilities, and parents and pupils feel confident in the school's ability to keep children safe. The inspection findings included a focus on improving writing in key stage two, where recent changes in teaching approaches have led to better outcomes. Pupils are encouraged to revise and edit their work, enhancing their understanding of writing mechanics, although presentation standards vary across classes.
In key stage one, pupils continue to make strong progress in reading, writing, and mathematics, supported by regular assessments and tailored interventions. Attendance has improved significantly, reversing a previous decline, and is now above the national average. The school has established effective systems to monitor attendance and engage parents in the importance of regular attendance.
Governors are actively involved in supporting and challenging school leaders, possessing a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development. They participate in planning for ongoing improvement, although the improvement plan could benefit from clearer targets and timelines.
Next steps for the school include ensuring consistent high standards in pupils' work presentation and refining improvement plans to include measurable targets. Overall, the inspection highlighted the school's effective leadership, positive learning environment, and commitment to continuous improvement, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding and pupil well-being.
