Cookham Dean CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

This is a good school. From above-average starting points, pupils achieve well.

By Year 6 pupils' attainment is significantly above average in mathematics and writing and it is exceptionally high in reading. The school is not outstanding because teaching is not yet outstanding and pupils have insufficient opportunities to apply their information and communication technology (ICT) skills in other subjects. Children make better than expected progress in the Reception class and this provides a solid platform.

Progress is good in Years 1 to 6. They enjoy reading and make excellent progress because it is taught well. An effective and well-structured programme in the Reception class and Key Stage 1 ...that links sounds to letters (phonics) gives pupils a particularly good start in their reading.

Attainment, while above average is not as high in mathematics as it is in English. This is because too few opportunities are provided for pupils to practise their calculation skills in practical mathematics investigations. Almost all teaching is good and at times it is outstanding.

Teachers make good use of individual targets for pupils and they manage them well. Even so, their planning does not always provide sufficient challenge to meet the different learning needs of all groups of pupils. Furthermore, teachers do not make sufficiently strong links to promote writing activities in other subjects.

Pupils' behaviour is good in lessons and around the school. They are motivated by their work, concentrate well, and thrive when working collaboratively. In consequence, they enjoy learning.

The headteacher's leadership has outstanding qualities. She is supported well by all the staff. Monitoring and evaluation procedures are thorough and accurate.

This, when linked to the rigorous performance management processes and focused continuing professional development, ensures that there is continuous improvement in provision and pupils' progress. Outcomes from the parental questionnaires were very positive.

Information about the school

Cookham Dean is a smaller than average-sized primary school.

It is heavily oversubscribed and is growing in size. In this school year, the school has a separate class for each year group for the first time. The very large majority of pupils are of White British heritage and the proportion known to be eligible for free school meals is well below average.

The proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs, including those with statements of special need or school action support, is below average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. There has been a change in headship since the previous inspection.

The current headteacher has been in post on a full-time basis since September 2011. In the previous two years, she shared the headship with another headteacher on a part-time basis. The school has achieved Healthy School status.

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