Caldicotes Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key Findings

This is a good school. It is not yet outstanding because there is not enough outstanding teaching and the school improvement plan does not set targets that are sharp enough so that progress and impact can be accurately evaluated. Pupils, parents, carers and staff are extremely positive about the school.

Throughout the school pupils make good progress. They have a good start to their education in the Early Years Foundation Stage and this is built upon effectively in Key Stages 1 and 2. Progress in reading, writing and mathematics is accelerating securely and achievement is good.

Good teaching provides a good match between the tasks pupils are set and their differing abilities. However, teachers... do not always explain clearly what pupils need to do to complete tasks successfully. Teaching is usually conducted at a good pace but sometimes the pace slows because teachers spend too long on explanations.

Marking provides pupils with good points for improving their work in their writing books but this is not always the case in their mathematics books or topic books. The excellent relationships between staff and pupils ensure that all pupils feel safe and are ready to learn. Pupils understand fully, and mostly meet, the high standard of behaviour expected by the school.

Leaders and managers strive constantly to improve the school. However, the school improvement plan does not have targets that are readily measurable in order to evaluate whether an action has been successful or not. The performance management of staff is rigorous and has had a positive impact on improving teaching and learning.

An excellent example of this is the effective work undertaken to improve pupils' attainment and progress in reading and writing. The gap between the achievement of different groups has narrowed and the rate of pupils' progress is better than most pupils nationally.

Information about the school

This is an average-sized primary school.

Nearly all pupils are of White British heritage. A few pupils are from minority ethnic backgrounds and nearly all speak English as their first language. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is well above average.

The percentage of pupils supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is very high. The school meets the current floor standards which set the government's minimum expectations of attainment and progress. The school holds numerous awards including Green Flag and the Artsmark.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms