Cove School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 January 2025

Pupils are generally happy at Cove School. They recognise that their teachers care about them and want them to do well. However, pupils do not always achieve as highly as they should because the curriculum is not delivered consistently well. Over time, some pupils have found it difficult to access the curriculum. This is because the school has not accurately identified where extra support is required, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils know that their teachers have high expectations of how they should behave in school. In general, they rise to these expectations. Behaviour at social times is typically calm and lessons are focused. Learning is rarely disrupted. If pupils lose focus, staff address this quickly by following the school's systems. Pupils know that if there is any bullying or unkindness the school will handle it well. Pupils benefit from a range of clubs, such as sporting activities, instrumental lessons and choir. They take full advantage of these opportunities. The pupil leadership team enjoy the opportunity to contribute to decisions about the school, influencing various improvements, events and initiatives.

What the school should improve

• The delivery of the curriculum is not always effective in meeting the needs of pupils with SEND or those who find reading difficult. This means that some pupils do not learn or achieve as well as they should. The school should ensure that teachers have the expertise and understanding to adapt the curriculum and ensure that it enables all pupils to succeed.
• Leaders have not ensured that their improvements to the delivery of the curriculum are being applied consistently well. There is too much variation in the quality of education pupils receive. Leaders should check the impact of the changes they make and take necessary action to ensure staff have the necessary expertise.
• Governors' work has not been sufficiently focused on ensuring that the school delivers a high standard of education. Although they have discussed new initiatives, they have not secured robust enough assurances about the impact of these on pupils' learning. Governors should ensure that their work is effective in challenging leaders to raise standards for the benefit of all pupils.

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