Located in Cambridge, Castle School, Cambridge is a not applicable school, serving pupils aged 2 to 19. The school is a community special school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.

Castle School, Cambridge currently has around 235 pupils on roll, which is about 100% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 67.2% boys and 32.8% girls. Around 45.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 13.2%. Persistent absence is recorded at 36.6%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (58.3%).

At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Requires Improvement. This means the school has areas that require improvement. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 100% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (100%) , including 18% who stay in school sixth forms and 0% progressing to further education , while 0% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Courtney Way, Cambridge, CB4 2EE
Website: www.castleschool.info
Telephone: 01223442400
School Type: Community special school
Education phase: Not applicable
Local authority: Cambridgeshire
Headteacher / Principal: Ms Charlotte Whysall
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 134972

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Overall effectiveness
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 14/05/2024

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 2 - 19
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 234
Number of Pupils: 235
Number of Boys: 158
Number of Girls: 77

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 13.2% 4%
Persistent absence: 36.6% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British58.30%137
Other White8.90%21
Bangladeshi4.30%10
Unclassified3.80%9
White and Black Caribbean3.00%7
African3.00%7
White and Asian2.60%6
Other Asian2.60%6
Other (any other ethnic group)2.60%6
Other Mixed2.10%5
Pakistani2.10%5
White and Black African1.70%4
Indian1.70%4
Gypsy/Roma0.90%2
Chinese0.90%2
Other Black0.90%2
Irish0.40%1
Caribbean0.40%1
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0

Education - Primary

Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.

Reading: Well Below Average (-3.5)
Writing: Well Below Average (-3.0)
Maths: Well Below Average (-3.9)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
0%
Town average
63%
Local authority average
65%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
0%
Town average
11%
Local authority average
11%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
Town average
107.1
Local authority average
107.1
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
Town average
105.7
Local authority average
106.3
England average
104.3

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Well below average (-1.53)
Of the 22 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 18 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
-1.53
Town average
0.47
Local authority average
0.66
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
0%
Town average
34%
Local authority average
26%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
0%
Town average
44%
Local authority average
37%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
1.5
Town average
42.6
Local authority average
39.4
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
0.0
Town average
3.8
Local authority average
3.5
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
100%

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Colleges Nursery School
Campkin Road , CB4 2LD
4out of 4 935 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
King's Hedges Nursery School
Northfield Avenue , CB4 2HU
3out of 4 1,624 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Brunswick Nursery School
Young Street , CB1 2LZ
4out of 4 1,877 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
The Fields Nursery School
Galfrid Road , CB5 8ND
3out of 4 3,140 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Milton Road Primary School
Ascham Road , CB4 2BD
- not rated 338 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
Milton Road Junior School
Milton Road , CB4 1UZ
- not rated 463 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Milton Road Infant School
Milton Road , CB4 1UZ
- not rated 463 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Arbury Primary School
Carlton Way , CB4 2DE
3out of 4 465 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
St Luke's CofE Primary School
French's Road , CB4 3JZ
- not rated 716 yd Voluntary aided school No Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Chesterton Community College
Gilbert Road , CB4 3NY
- not rated 369 yd Academy converter Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Chesterton Community College
Gilbert Road , CB4 3NY
- not rated 369 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
The Manor - A Foundation School
Arbury Road , Kings Hedges CB4 2JF
- not rated 910 yd Foundation school No Mixed More About School
North Cambridge Academy
Arbury Road , Kings Hedges CB4 2JF
3out of 4 910 yd Academy sponsor led No Mixed More About School
Parkside Community College
Parkside , CB1 1EH
4out of 4 1,866 yd Academy converter Not Applicable Mixed More About School

16 plus

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Cambridge Regional College
Science Park Campus , Kings Hedges Road CB4 2QT
- not rated 2,036 yd Further education Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Cambridge Maths School
119 Mill Road , CB1 2AZ
- not rated 2,746 yd Free schools 16 to 19 No Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Castle School, Cambridge
Courtney Way , CB4 2EE
2out of 4 0 yd Community special school Yes Mixed More About School
Cambridge Student Support Centre (PRU)
Ascham Road , CB4 2BD
- not rated 303 yd Pupil referral unit Not Applicable More About School
The Cambridge Learning Base
Ascham Road , CB4 2BD
- not rated 321 yd Pupil referral unit Not Applicable Mixed More About School
OA - Cambridge
Ascham Road , CB4 2BD
3out of 4 321 yd Academy alternative provision converter Not Applicable Mixed More About School
CSSC Ascham
Ascham Road , CB4 2BD
- not rated 324 yd Pupil referral unit Not Applicable Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.