Back to school in Eddington

Back to school in Eddington

  • University of Cambridge Primary School pupils and parents
    University of Cambridge Primary School pupils and parents
  • University of Cambridge Primary School building
    University of Cambridge Primary School

Throughout September the University prepares to welcome back its undergraduates after the summer break. For Cambridge’s primary school children, however, the new term is already well underway.

Our passionate team has risen to the challenge to create a school that could contribute to innovating curricula and thinking about what constitutes a truly brilliant education for our children.

Dr James Biddulph, Headteacher

Committed to exemplary teaching and learning, the University of Cambridge Primary School (UCPS) aims to be bold, free-thinking and rigorous. Using research on educational spaces around the world, the award-winning school design provides students with diverse learning spaces. All classrooms open up to the school grounds, encouraging outdoor educational experiences.

The school celebrated its first OFSTED report in July. The school is the first primary University Training School in the UK and was found to be outstanding in all performance categories. The curriculum, described by OFSTED inspectors as 'ambitious, innovative and inclusive', is grounded in research-based knowledge to nurture and develop 'compassionate citizens'. Inspectors noted the motivated and curious attitude of the pupils, reflecting the skilful leadership of all staff and their relentless pursuit of high-quality learning for pupils.

Since opening in 2015 with just 120 pupils, the school is expected to reach full capacity in September 2021 with 630 pupils. All 31 staff have access to advice and support from the University's Faculty of Education. This is bolstered by high quality professional development courses rooted in academic research, placing teachers as part of an innovative learning community.

Headteacher Dr James Biddulph, who did his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and PhD at Homerton College, has led the School since it opened. He welcomed the inspectors' report, saying: "Our passionate team of educators and administrators have each risen to the massive challenge set us by the University and UK Government to create a school that could contribute to innovating curricula and thinking about what constitutes a truly brilliant education for our children. We look forward to more collaboration with our colleagues in other schools to continue our own learning and contribute to the learning of others."

The School is already working with colleagues as far afield as India and is planning a number of new projects to consider how research informed practice can be disseminated through primary schools. As the headteacher commented in remarks to the inspectors: “We are not the finished article… we never will be.”

In 2016 UCPS published its first book. Published by Cambridge University Press, the book is aimed at school leaders, teachers, academics and anyone interested in how to create a school with a distinctive vision and ethos. A University Challenge: Cambridge’s primary school for the Nation offers insight into how the University, architects, academics, school leaders and teachers brought an initial idea into reality.