Capel Manor Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 December 2025

Pupils enjoy coming to school and know that they are cared for. Staff greet families warmly each morning, creating a calm and orderly start to the day. Pupils move straight into purposeful routines, such as handwriting, number work or quiet reading. These familiar expectations help them settle quickly and feel safe. Pupils behave well in lessons. They listen carefully to their teachers and want to do their best. Pupils say that staff help them sort out worries and that they feel safe in school. Bullying is uncommon. When it does happen, pupils trust adults to deal with it promptly and fairly. Pupils enjoy their learning. They talk confidently about new vocabulary and like the challenge of ambitious texts. Younger pupils are keen to show how much their reading has improved. Those who find reading a challenge receive well-planned support so they can keep up with their peers. Older pupils take increasing ownership of their work and enjoy sharing their ideas. Pupils are proud of the school values including those of of respect and kindness as well as the fundamental British values, such as democracy. They try to to live up to these values in their day-to-day conduct. Some pupils have gaps in their learning. Some need help with speech and communication, others need support to manage their emotions or to stay focused. Staff know these different pupils well. They make thoughtful adaptations that help pupils take part in lessons alongside their classmates. This includes simple adjustments, such as enlarged text, and more targeted approaches, such as structured breaks to help pupils to regulate their emotions. Pupils feel that they belong. They enjoy roles such as junior leaders, team captains and sports ambassadors. These opportunities help pupils contribute to school life and to understand the importance of responsibility and service. Most pupils attend school regularly, but a small number need further support to improve their attendance so that they can benefit fully from everything the school offers.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that more pupils reach the higher standard in reading by checking the impact of teaching and ensuring that higher attaining pupils are consistently and deliberately given texts and books that deepen and improve their reading, comprehension and vocabulary.
• Leaders should sustain the upward trend in attendance by continuing to analyse patterns closely, acting promptly where concerns arise, and working with families whose children are persistently absent.
• Leaders should improve pupils' foundational skills, including handwriting, by ensuring consistent practice and precise modelling across year groups so that all pupils build their fluency and accuracy over time.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)