Castle Newnham School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 17 March 2026

Pupils are proud of their school community. They embrace the school value of respect in all they do. They are kind and considerate to each other. Pupils' relationships with staff and other pupils are highly positive. Pupils feel safe and well cared for by staff. They talk positively about the friendships they build. Pupils value the fairness and kindness shown by staff. Pupils understand what bullying is and know how to report it. Staff support pupils to resolve any minor friendship disputes if they occur. Pupils achieve well at this school. They enjoy their learning and speak knowledgeably about the subjects they study. Pupils participate well in lessons and generally take pride in their work. Staff know pupils well and understand their individual needs. Typically, teaching supports pupils to improve, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Teachers routinely check what pupils know and can do. This helps pupils to remember their prior learning before staff introduce new curriculum content. Pupils' success is generally reflected in national tests, including for disadvantaged pupils, who achieve well. Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education. Pupils attend school regularly. They arrive at school punctually. They look forward to the exciting days at school. Pupils are included in all aspects of school life. They enjoy a wide range of enrichment opportunities, which broaden their experiences beyond the academic. Leaders ensure that the enrichment offer meets pupils' needs. Staff address barriers to participation so that all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, can benefit from the personal development programme. Opportunities in performing arts enable pupils to make a positive contribution to the school and to the wider community. This helps pupils to feel like they belong.

What the school should improve

• Leaders need to ensure that teaching, including in early years, more consistently addresses gaps in pupils' learning so that pupils develop more detailed knowledge over time.
• Leaders need to ensure that they more precisely identify barriers to learning for some pupils, so that all pupils consistently benefit from the high-quality teaching that the school offers.

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