Cranwell Primary School (Foundation)

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

From the moment pupils first walk through the door at Cranwell Primary School, staff make them feel at home and give them all the help they need to settle in.

This positive, inclusive ethos permeates the whole school. There are strong, caring relationships between the pupils and adults. Pupils say, 'The staff take the time to get to know us and understand us.'



Many pupils join the school part way through their primary education. A thorough assessment of pupils' needs takes place as soon as they arrive. Being located so close to RAF Cranwell, a high proportion of pupils have parents or carers in the armed forces.

There is high-quality pastoral suppo...rt available, such as the school's Bluey Club for those with service parents on deployment.

Classrooms are calm places where pupils can concentrate on their learning. Most pupils sustain their focus and behave well.

Pupils enjoy spending time together. They say it is easy to make friends at Cranwell.

Alongside its ambitious curriculum, the school provides an exceptional variety of wider opportunities.

Carefully planned trips and experiences enrich pupils' learning. There is a plethora of clubs, as well as numerous pupil leadership roles, on offer.

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

The school's curriculum builds sequentially from Reception through to Year 6.

Over several lessons, pupils work on a series of enquiry questions. They then apply the knowledge and skills they have learned to answer a big question at the end of each unit of work. Staff adapt the curriculum well for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Additional resources, modified materials and effective adult support enable pupils with SEND to learn the same curriculum as their peers.

Pupils achieve well in reading, writing and mathematics. However, when pupils join the school, there is not always sufficient time for them to catch up before the end of the year.

Published outcomes do not reflect the high-quality education that the school provides.

Teachers have good subject knowledge. They explain new learning clearly and show pupils what they need to do to be successful.

For instance, in English lessons, teachers model how to construct sentences step by step, so that pupils can learn from their examples. However, in some foundation subjects, teachers do not build on pupils' prior learning well enough. Consequently, some pupils cannot recall key curriculum content securely and they do not deepen their understanding of important concepts over time.

There is a vibrant reading culture at Cranwell Primary School. Pupils love spending time in their well-stocked library. Many choose to read a book in there at break time or lunch time.

Through the curriculum, pupils encounter a diverse range of quality fiction, non-fiction and poetry. This begins in the early years, where children are immersed in a world of stories and rhymes. Learning to read begins as soon as children start in Reception.

Staff teach phonics well. They check closely on pupils' progress and give additional help straight away if anyone falls behind. However, some staff do not always develop reading fluency as well as they could when they listen to pupils read their books.

Through the values of courage, perseverance and success, the school sets high standards for pupils' behaviour and attitudes. Pupils live up to these expectations most of the time. Attendance is high.

The school acts quickly to reduce any absence, working effectively with families and other agencies.

The school's personal development offer is a considerable strength. Learning how to live a healthy life begins in the early years.

Children learn about the importance of staying hydrated and eating healthy snacks, as well as how to look after their teeth. The school is passionate about sport. In addition to having a range of opportunities to be physically active on the playground every day, all pupils have the chance to represent Cranwell in one of its many sports teams.

Pupils think of others by supporting a local foodbank, raising money for the school's sensory room and sponsoring a snow leopard. Pupils know why equality is important. They say, 'Everyone gets to do everything here and they are treated fairly.'

Pupils have respectful attitudes towards difference and diversity. However, some pupils do not understand world faiths well enough.

The school is well led.

Governors are an integral part of school life. They have an accurate assessment of the school's strengths and its next steps. They check closely on many areas of the school's work.

Staff speak highly of the training and support they are given.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

What does the school need to do to improve?

(Information for the school and appropriate authority)

• In some foundations subjects, staff do not routinely go back over important prior learning.

They do not always help pupils connect what they have learned before to what they are learning now. As a result, some pupils cannot recall key curriculum content securely and they do not deepen their understanding of important concepts over time. The school should review its approach to the recall of prior learning so that staff revisit important content in all subjects, helping pupils to remember and build on the knowledge they have already been taught.

• Some staff do not develop pupils' fluency well enough when they listen to them read their books. Consequently, pupils who find reading difficult do not become fluent readers as quickly as they could. The school should ensure that there is a consistent approach to the teaching of reading fluency when adults listen to pupils read so that all pupils become confident, fluent readers as soon as possible.