Cosgrove Village Primary School is located in Northamptonshire and has been recognized for providing a safe and caring environment for its pupils. The school fosters a positive atmosphere where students feel happy, respected, and engaged. During playtimes, pupils enjoy socializing and participating in games, with older students serving as role models for the younger ones. The staff is well-acquainted with the students, establishing trust that allows pupils to approach them with any issues or disputes.
In the early years, staff design activities aimed at equipping children with the necessary knowledge and skills for their educational journey. However, there are concerns regarding the level of engagement from some children, which may hinder their progress. The school maintains high expectations for all pupils, and most students demonstrate effort in their lessons, achieving commendable results, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The school provides tailored support to ensure these pupils can thrive alongside their peers.
The school promotes values of diversity and equality, teaching pupils to respect differences and fostering a sense of belonging within the school community. The phonics program implemented at the school is effective, with early years children beginning phonics instruction as soon as they start school. However, there are inconsistencies in the delivery of phonics instruction, which can lead to some pupils not developing reading fluency as quickly as they should.
The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, clearly outlining the knowledge, skills, and vocabulary that pupils are expected to learn. Topics are sequenced effectively, allowing students to build on prior knowledge. Teachers generally present new information clearly and engage pupils through thoughtful questioning, promoting deeper understanding. However, the assessment routines for subjects outside of mathematics and English are not as well developed, making it challenging for teachers to gauge pupils' learning effectively.
The school has made provisions for pupils with complex special educational needs, offering specialized support that helps them develop communication skills and resilience. Most pupils attend school regularly, and instances of poor behavior are infrequent. In the majority of classrooms, students exhibit positive attitudes towards learning, although this is not always the case in the early years, where some children struggle to maintain focus.
Pupils learn to embody the school’s values, such as kindness and responsibility, and they appreciate the recognition they receive for demonstrating these values. The school also prioritizes pupils' personal development, teaching them about safety and well-being. Staff members support one another to create a positive learning environment, and they value the assistance they receive in managing their workload.
While the school has maintained its standards in many areas since the last inspection, the early years provision has seen a decline in effectiveness. The safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils. To improve, the school needs to enhance support for early years learning, establish better assessment routines in science and foundation subjects, and ensure consistent delivery of the phonics program. Overall, Cosgrove Village Primary School continues to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for its pupils, with areas identified for further development to enhance educational outcomes.
