Cavalry Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school.

Children make an excellent start in the Nursery and Reception because of the high quality of teaching. Pupils achieve well from extremely low starting points, and reach average standards by the end of Year 6. Teaching is typically good and sometimes outstanding.

Teachers have high expectations and make sure the presentation of pupils' work is outstanding. The school excels at art and music. High-quality displays make the learning environment extremely attractive.

The choir and band reach impressive standards of excellence. Pupils' behaviour is outstanding in class and around the school. Pupils say they feel completely safe at sc...hool, a view supported by their parents.

Reading is promoted extremely well, and pupils read widely and with confidence. The headteacher and deputy headteacher are passionate about the school giving pupils the very best education. The other leaders and managers support their ambition and, together with governors, have brought about improvements to teaching and achievement.

The school works very well with parents, and all who returned questionnaires said they would recommend the school to others. It is not yet an outstanding school because : Achievement in mathematics is not as strong as in reading and writing, especially in Key Stage 1 where it has not been taught so well. Pupils do not have enough chance to show how they have worked out the solutions to mathematical problems, and teachers' comments in marking do not encourage them enough to practise new skills.

The school's improvement plans include targets with deadlines, but these are of limited use as they are not easy to measure.

Information about this school

The school is larger than the average primary school. Most pupils are from White British backgrounds.

An increasing number of pupils join partway through their primary school education and speak English as an additional language. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for the pupil premium (which provides additional funding for children in local authority care and those known to be eligible for free school meals or with a parent in the armed services) is average. The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs supported through school action is above average.

The proportion of pupils supported at school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. There has been some long-term staff absence, especially in Key Stage 1.

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