Cockfield Primary School, located in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was inspected on November 8 and 9, 2023. The school has been rated as good in overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This inspection marks the first routine evaluation since the school was last rated outstanding twelve years ago. The long gap between inspections was due to the school being exempt from routine inspections by law until November 2020.
Pupils at Cockfield Primary School are described as happy, confident, and inquisitive, embodying the school’s values of honesty, respect, kindness, positivity, and care. They are polite and well-mannered, feeling safe and secure in their environment. Parents and staff share this sentiment, with many expressing pride in the school. The school community is tightly knit, and parents appreciate the approachability of staff and their willingness to address any concerns. Pupils enjoy their time at school, often referring to it as a big family.
The leadership team has established high expectations for staff and pupils, fostering a positive attitude towards learning and behaviour. Pupils demonstrate a strong understanding of equality and show empathy towards others. The school’s location within a supportive community enhances the sense of belonging among families.
The school excels in identifying and meeting the needs of its pupils from their first days in Nursery. The support provided for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is a notable strength, with personalized approaches to remove barriers to achievement. Reading is a key focus, with effective phonics teaching ensuring that most pupils become confident readers by the end of key stage two. However, some younger pupils struggle to retain phonics knowledge, indicating a need for more consistent planning to secure their learning.
Children in the early years benefit from high-quality experiences that foster their development as confident learners. They engage enthusiastically in play and learning, making good progress and preparing well for future education. The curriculum is well-designed in most subjects, allowing pupils to build a strong understanding of their learning. However, inconsistencies in the implementation of the mathematics curriculum have been noted, which affects pupil progress.
The school has taken effective measures to address attendance issues, including persistent absence, and has successfully improved overall attendance rates. The personal development curriculum is robust, with strong links to the local church that enhance spiritual development. Pupils demonstrate commendable attitudes towards equality and diversity, actively participating in school roles and responsibilities.
Leaders and governors have a clear understanding of the school’s priorities and support staff in their roles, promoting their well-being and reducing workload where possible. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils.
To improve, the school needs to ensure consistent implementation of the mathematics curriculum to align with its educational intent. Additionally, it should strengthen its approach to phonics to enhance retention and application among younger pupils, ensuring they learn to read as quickly as possible. Overall, Cockfield Primary School provides a supportive and effective educational environment, with a strong commitment to the personal and academic development of its pupils.
