OFSTED
The Calder Learning Trust was inspected by OFSTED in February 2022 with a full inspection. We were graded Good in all areas.
As this was our first inspection as a 4-16 school, it is one report for Reception to Year 11 and as such can be tricky to decipher which parts refer to primary and which to secondary in places.
Some highlights for Calder Primary:
"At The Calder Learning Trust, pupils are respectful towards each other. Pupils say that they feel safe and they know that adults will help them."
"Relationships between staff and pupils are strong."
"Pupils are given opportunities to express their views freely. Pupils speak confidently about healthy relationships. They know what a good friend is. They use words such as ‘loyal’ and ‘caring’, and understand the importance of being a good listener."
"The curriculum is ambitious and well sequenced, and allows pupils to know and remember more. Teachers plan together and their opportunities for professional development are helping to deliver lessons that pupils enjoy. In Reception, children are developing their understanding of Spanish words and phrases to develop their love of language."
"The school’s approach to teaching and learning is described as the ‘Calder classroom’, and is helping pupils to learn in a consistent way. Staff are encouraged to share good practice, supporting pupils to achieve well. Expectations of all pupils are high."
"Staff deliver a phonics programme with accuracy and consistency. Leaders use assessment to ensure that the books that pupils read are well matched to the sounds that they already know. This
ensures that almost all pupils leave key stage 1 as confident and fluent readers. Daily story time fosters their love of reading. Leaders from the primary and secondary phases have worked closely to develop a whole-school reading curriculum. Daily phonics teaching ensures that children get off to a strong start with their reading. The school is proud of the use of reading mentors.
The early years curriculum is built around books. Staff use this model to engage children in their learning and help them discover the wider world around them. During the inspection, for example, children visited a local supermarket to buy ingredients for the sandwiches they later made for ‘the tiger who was coming to tea’, prompted by the book by Judith Kerr. Pupils in the primary phase enjoy their lessons and parents agree."
You can read the full report here
OFSTED Parent View
Parents and carers can give their views of our school at any time of the school year and at the time of a school inspection using an online questionnaire called Parent View.
When our school is notified of an Ofsted inspection, parents will be invited to give their views about the school to inspectors using the Parent View online facility as this has replaced Ofsted’s paper questionnaire.
Please register with an email address and a password at https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk. Once your login has been activated, it only takes a few minutes to complete answers to 12 short questions.
Of course, if there is something you would like to speak to us about, please make an appointment to speak to Mrs Lambert.
If you do not have a computer or an email address or if you would like help to use Parent View, please come into school and ask at the school office.