The University of Cambridge Primary School, located in Cambridge, received an outstanding rating during its inspection on June 20-21, 2018. The headteacher's inspirational leadership fosters a culture of excellence throughout the school. The governing body is highly committed and effectively supports school leaders while holding them accountable for performance. The curriculum is bold and knowledge-rich, encouraging pupils to engage deeply with a wide range of subjects. Innovative teaching methods contribute to improving outcomes, providing a strong foundation for future learning. Teachers create stimulating environments where pupils are motivated to strive for high standards and learn from their mistakes. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs typically make rapid progress from their starting points.
In the early years, effective teaching combined with opportunities for playful inquiry helps children develop resilience and independence, preparing them well for Year 1. Leaders are focused on enhancing mathematics practice alongside writing. Strong phonics instruction ensures children develop a solid foundation in reading, and a love for reading is actively promoted throughout the school. The school’s core values are evident in pupils’ exemplary behavior, regular attendance, and positive attitudes toward learning. Pupils feel safe and well cared for, with staff trained to protect them from harm. Most parents express high satisfaction with the school, although leaders recognize the need to improve communication with a minority of parents who have concerns.
To further improve, the school aims to enhance communication mechanisms between leaders, governors, and parents to ensure a consistent understanding of the school’s values and ethos. Additionally, there is a commitment to providing more opportunities for early years children to practice their mathematics skills across various learning areas.
The leadership and management of the school are outstanding, with a relentless pursuit of high-quality learning experiences. The headteacher has led the school since its opening in 2015, ensuring all pupils succeed regardless of their starting points. Evaluation processes are thorough, and decision-making is informed by research into effective learning. Collaborative working with other schools and the university enhances the sharing of good practices. The school environment promotes professionalism, with high expectations modeled by leaders. Teachers receive ongoing development through a lesson study approach, fostering peer support and critical review.
The quality of teaching, learning, and assessment is outstanding, characterized by high expectations and strong progress across subjects. Classrooms are engaging, and pupils are eager to learn. Teachers effectively challenge pupils through well-planned activities and skilled questioning, enabling them to deepen their understanding. The teaching team is committed to continual improvement, utilizing research evidence to inform planning. The school’s assessment approach allows for real-time adjustments to teaching based on pupil progress.
Pupils’ personal development and welfare are also outstanding. They demonstrate positive attitudes and take pride in their work. Older pupils act as role models, and the school’s core values foster a collaborative and caring environment. Leaders address complex social issues appropriately, promoting understanding of diversity and respect. The school effectively teaches pupils about bullying and online safety, ensuring incidents are rare and managed promptly.
Overall, pupils make strong progress across all curriculum areas, achieving above-average standards by the end of key stage 1. The school’s innovative curriculum and high-quality teaching enable pupils to build knowledge and skills quickly. The early years provision is also outstanding, with children making excellent progress in a stimulating environment. The school is well-regarded by parents, who appreciate the nurturing atmosphere and the progress their children make.
