Cowick Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 March 2023

Adults have high expectations of what they want pupils to learn across the curriculum at Cowick Church of England Primary School. For the most part, these expectations are realised. Pupils can remember learning from many of their subjects. For example, in music lessons pupils successfully remember the notes that they need to play the ukulele. Pupils are happy and feel safe in school. Adults consistently use the 'High Five behaviour rules.' As a result, pupils behave well; they are kind and honest. Pupils consistently follow the rules to stay safe. In lessons, pupils work hard. They are respectful to adults and each other. If there are disagreements, pupils have approaches that they can use to solve them before they go to an adult. Pupils have a clear understanding of what bullying is and know that if it happens, adults help to quickly resolve it. Pupils access a range of opportunities and experiences, for example Year 4 pupils visit a Roman farm as part of their learning in history. The annual residential visit helps older pupils to develop their teamwork skills, as well as providing opportunities to tackle adventurous activities, such as abseiling. After school, pupils enjoy attending clubs and organised curriculum events. Pupils are particularly enthusiastic about singing events that they take part in with other schools.

What the school should improve

• In some lessons, teachers do not choose activities that enable pupils to build on prior knowledge. This means that pupils do not remember their learning long- term. Leaders should ensure that teachers understand how to design activities that will enable pupils to acquire the key knowledge that is identified in curriculum plans.
• Leaders do not have a system in place to check what pupils know in the foundation subjects. This means that teachers cannot accurately identify gaps in pupils' knowledge or misconceptions in pupils' learning. Leaders should ensure that a system is put in place that allows teachers to purposefully check what pupils do and do not know in the wider curriculum.

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