Ofsted
Our most recent Ofsted inspection took place in September 2025. The inspectors were positive about the work we have done since the last inspection and the report is a good reflection of the stage we have reached on our school improvement journey. It celebrates development in various key areas:
Improved leadership capacity
“Your action plan focuses on the right steps .....[and] you and other leaders have maintained a strong focus on raising the quality of teaching and learning.”
The reading curriculum
“The approach to teaching reading is much stronger. Careful thought has been given to the reading curriculum.”
Governance
“Trustees have strong oversight......and do not shy away from holding you to account for securing the necessary improvements.”
SEND systems and processes
“Ongoing staff training has helped sharpen the quality of support given to pupils with SEND.”
Behaviour for learning
“Classrooms are generally calm and purposeful. Pupils are increasingly showing
positive attitudes to learning. Consequently, they can learn with minimal distraction.”
The inspectors’ assessment of our school is also backed up by the much-improved academic results achieved this summer. In national assessments (SATS), pupils at Cotham Gardens Primary School performed in line with, or above, the national average in key areas. This included improvements of more than 10% from 2023/24 in Reading, Writing and Maths while the youngest children had similar improvements in phonics.
These results reflect an exceptional shift from the previous academic year, highlighting the impact of strategic leadership, effectively implemented school improvement and dedicated teaching. Internal data suggests that even greater gains lie ahead in 2025/26.
Prior to the December 2024 inspection, Cotham Gardens Primary had seen considerable change and turbulence in leadership and governance over a number of years and Ofsted inspectors who visited before Christmas rightly said that standards were not as high as they should be. This monitoring visit confirms that the new leadership structure and governing body is both determined and ambitious in its plans for excellence at Cotham Gardens Primary.
Cotham Gardens continues to be a safe, inclusive and happy place; an environment where children have the chance to showcase all their talents. We will be continuing to engage with parents as we continue on this exciting journey and are extremely grateful to the parent community for their overwhelming support over the last few years.