Cippenham School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 September 2023

This is a harmonious school where pupils are kind and considerate to one another. There are warm, respectful, and inclusive attitudes between everyone. School rules and rewards systems are clear and consistently followed, this helps pupils to be safe and enjoy learning. Pupils settle to work quickly, try their best and are proud of their achievements. They know that staff care about them. Pupils know who to talk to if they have any worries or concerns. They also know that adults will help them sort out any difficulties they may have. Various trips, such as to local places of worship and residential visits, strengthen and enrich pupils' learning. These experiences help them appreciate the world around them. Pupils value the opportunities to develop their talents. They enjoy a wide range of clubs and activities. Pupils are proud of their school. As a result, they are happy to take on leadership roles to make it even better. The Trust checks on the school's improvement effectively and provides high-quality support. Leaders at all levels want the very best for all pupils, this is encapsulated by the school vision 'To be the best you can be.'

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, teachers do not have a strong enough understanding of what pupils know and understand. This means that pupils are not always supported well enough to advance their learning. The school should ensure that teachers' assessment strengthens so that they can respond more effectively to what pupils already know.
• In the early years, the school has not identified the specific vocabulary that children need to know and understand. This means that some children do not communicate as well as they could. The school should improve their approach to language development in early years so that it is as strong as it is in other year groups.
• The attendance of some pupils remains stubbornly low. This means that these pupils are not able to benefit from the wide range of opportunities that the school offers. The school should ensure that pupils attend more regularly. How can I feedback my views? You can use Ofsted Parent View to give Ofsted your opinion on your child's school, or to find out what other parents and carers think. We use information from Ofsted Parent View when deciding which schools to inspect, when to inspect them and as part of their inspection. The Department for Education has further guidance on how to complain about a school.

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