The Cavendish School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The successful development of the primary phase of this all-through school is driving improvements in the secondary phase. Senior leadership of the primary phase of the school is very strong.

The interim headteacher and deputy headteacher of the primary phase show a clear vision and have led the change towards more effective teaching and learning. As a result, pupils in the primary phase are making rapid progress. Children make an excellent start to their learning in the pre-school and Reception Years.

They make outstanding progress, due to the high expectations of their behaviour and of what they can achieve. In the primary and secondary... phases, senior leaders, key stage and subject leaders know how well pupils are achieving. Leaders challenge and support staff to focus on what pupils need to learn next.

Teachers have good subject knowledge and use questions well to encourage pupils to explain their thinking. However, there are some inconsistencies in teaching, and not all pupils are supported or challenged to do their best. Leaders are ambitious for the school and its pupils.

They make frequent checks on the progress that pupils make. They ensure that effective interventions are in place for pupils who need extra help to catch up. Overall, current pupils in the secondary phase are making good progress.

GCSE results show that, previously, disadvantaged pupils made slower progress than other pupils nationally. Leaders' actions have ensured that differences are now diminishing for disadvantaged pupils, particularly those in the primary phase and lower years in the secondary phase. Pupils' behaviour is good.

Pastoral leaders know the pupils well. Strong relationships with staff help pupils feel secure and promote their personal development well. Governors are committed to using expertise in primary and secondary phases to improve the school.

Their widening skill set is strengthening their effectiveness in holding school leaders to account. In the primary phase, accurate and thorough self-evaluation leads to sharply identified priorities for improvement and effective plans to tackle weaknesses. This practice is not as well developed in the secondary phase.

Information about this school

The Cavendish School provides for a range of age groups. It comprises an average-sized 11 to 16 secondary phase and a primary phase, which currently caters for pupils up to Year 4. Its early years provision includes a pre-school, with provision for two-year olds, where children attend full or part time, and a Reception Year, which children attend on a full-time basis.

The majority of pupils are from White British backgrounds. The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is below the national average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is below the national average.

A small number of key stage 4 pupils attend alternative provision at College Central, Eastbourne and Sussex Downs College. The school meets the government's floor targets, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. Since September 2017, the primary phase has been led by an interim headteacher and deputy headteacher from a local primary school, for a total of three and a half days a week.

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