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Introduction to our school

Cauldwell Lower School was opened in January 1996 as a result of the merger of Drake and Raleigh Lower schools. It is a school maintained by Bedfordshire Local Education Authority but is managed by the school Governors. The Governors have overall responsibility for school and delegate much of the internal management to the Headteacher and staff of the school.

The school is in the south of Bedford and occupies the old Drake school site. Caldwell's catchment area includes both the former Drake and Raleigh catchment areas. The school is part of the John Bunyan pyramid of schools . The school is fortunate in that it has been refurbished and equipped with the resources of both schools. Consequently it has a good library and is well resourced in terms of computers and other equipment.

At present the school has seven classes of children ageing from 5 to 9. The capacity of the school is 180, with as admission number of 30 for any one year group. The school roll reflects a range of pupil ability and cultural background. We consider this to be a strength, reflecting the nature of the local community.

Each class is named after a bird as follows

Wrens Reception age 5

Robins Years 1/2 age 5/7

Hawks Years 1/2 age 5/7

Swallows Years 1/2 age5/7

Kestrels Years 3/4 age 7/9

Owls Years 3/4 age 7/9

Magpies Years 3/4 age 7/9

The classes are organised in mixed ability groups in either Key Stage1 or Key stage 2. Each class has a class teacher plus a proportion of non-teaching support. The school also maintains one teacher, employed 5 days a week, to offer language support to children whose first language is not English.

Class structure may vary from year to year as we always reconsider the organisation of the classes at the end of each year. Years Reception to 2 are referred to as Key Stage 1 and years 3 and 4 are part of the Key stage2.Choldren continue through Key Stage 2 at middle school. Currently we have a rising roll and expect this to continue. Class sizes in Key Stage 1 are smaller than those in Key Stage2. Governors feel this is important to ensure a good start to primary education. We maintain a register of children expecting to join us- details of which may be found in the school office.

Cauldwell Lower School

Cauldwell Lower school is a warm welcoming school, so if your child is looking for a school, look no further.

Pupils in Cauldwell are well behaved and very polite children.

Teachers are very kind to children and they help children if they don't understand.

The atmosphere in Cauldwell is great! It has a swimming pool and a quad.

We have new refurbished toilets and types of bird names for our classes.

Cauldwell is an educated school; pupils are taught well, we have children that need help in Math's and English so they go on the computers. Some people are very bright so they have lessons with the head teacher.

There again if your children don't go on the computers as often as they want they can join Computer club.

There's gardening club, art club and lots more!

Yep this is the school for your child.

COME TO CAULDWELL Where Children Matter.

The above piece was written by one of our own pupils and I think it sums up our school very well.