Calveley Primary Academy

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

The school's exceptionally high aspirations for pupils to achieve their very best are reflected in pupils' day-to-day experiences at Calveley. Pupils achieve highly and have extremely positive attitudes to learning.

This is particularly true for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils take responsibility for creating a learning environment where everyone is valued, free to be themselves and where differences are celebrated. The curriculum and wider opportunities that the school provides prepare pupils very well for their next steps.

Pupils' behaviour and conduct are exemplary. Pupils arrive at the school each day eager to learn. This s...tarts with those children who attend the provision for two-year-olds.

They develop a thirst for learning and show tremendous enthusiasm in all aspects of school life. Throughout the school, pupils are very clear that only their best effort is good enough.

Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the education that their children receive.

They speak highly of the individual care and attention for each child, as well as the lengths that the school goes to in supporting pupils' needs. The school cares deeply about all aspects of pupils' development, including their well-being. It provides a wealth of opportunities to help pupils become active members of society.

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

Pupils learn a curriculum that is precisely matched to their needs. The school has thought carefully about what pupils will learn and when this will happen. Staff have an accurate knowledge of each pupil.

They design learning that builds exactly on what pupils already know. This helps pupils to develop a rich body of knowledge. Consequently, they achieve highly across all subjects.

Staff have expert subject knowledge. This, combined with a very clear understanding of how to deliver the curriculum, results in pupils deepening their understanding over time. Pupils recall an impressive level of detail when discussing their learning.

In addition, they make links between different parts of learning, demonstrating the secure knowledge that they have across the range of subjects that they study.

The school identifies the needs of pupils with SEND at the earliest opportunity and ensures that these are met precisely. It checks routinely that the support pupils receive helps them to succeed.

Staff adapt the delivery of the curriculum skilfully. They have the utmost consideration for how learning activities will support and develop pupils' confidence and independence.

Pupils' love of reading is palpable.

Older pupils act as reading role models and support younger children to broaden their reading diet. Children in the Nursery class, including those who attend the provision for two-year-olds, gain the range of listening skills that they need to make a strong start on the phonics programme in the Reception class. Children securely build the phonics knowledge that they need to read with confidence and fluency.

Pupils receive the expert extra support that they need to keep up with the phonics programme. Pupils read widely and often. By the time that they leave Year 6, pupils have typically read an incredibly broad selection of books.

This deepens their understanding of the world and enlightens them about the range of different ways that people may live.

Children in the early years make a great start to their school journey. Children in the provision for two-year-olds quickly understand the high expectations that staff have of them and try exceedingly hard to rise to these expectations.

The core values of the school are woven through the early years curriculum. Children learn what it means to show respect to others, communicate successfully and develop high levels of resilience and independence. Staff skilfully aid children's learning through play.

Children show high levels of concentration and dedication to their learning. For example, children write food orders with increasing accuracy in the café role-play area. Children leave the early years with their love of learning ignited.

Pupils learn how to conduct themselves appropriately in a variety of situations. They know that it is important to behave well 'even when no one is watching'. Pupils take pride in the many roles of responsibility that they hold.

These range from being well-being ambassadors to subject champions. Through these roles, pupils make a tangible difference to the life of the school. Pupils have a deep understanding of diversity and inclusion.

They go out of their way to make sure that everyone, regardless of their background or disability, feels valued and can excel.

The trust is highly effective in supporting the school to live out its ambitious vision for excellence. Leaders at all levels continually review the provision for pupils in their unwavering determination for the school to be the best that it can be.

Staff feel well supported in their roles. They appreciate the consideration that is given to their workload and well-being.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.