Cop Lane Church of England Primary School, Penwortham

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 June 2024

Pupils find this school a happy place to be. They are kind to one another. They feel safe and well cared for. Pupils are enthusiastic about their learning and behave well. They have lots of fun during social times because there are plenty of activities for them to do. The school is ambitious for what pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), should learn. Pupils attain highly in subjects such as English and mathematics. They also achieve well in some other curriculum subjects. Each year group experiences at least one curriculum trip per year. Year 6 pupils can also go on a residential visit. Pupils have opportunities to learn musical instruments, such as the ukulele. They can further explore their musical talents and interests through singing and guitar clubs. Other clubs, particularly sports-focused ones, are also offered throughout the year. Some pupils benefit well from this offer. Some pupils, especially those who are older, have some meaningful opportunities to contribute to life at the school. For example, Year 6 pupils take on buddy roles to support others. The school also has a 'voice for change group' for pupils to arrange activities and events in support of charitable causes. Pupils are particularly proud to raise funds for a school that they are linked to in Uganda.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, the school has not clearly defined its expectations for the smaller steps of knowledge that pupils should learn, nor how this knowledge should be taught. Consequently, teachers occasionally design lessons and activities that do not help pupils to acquire the intended knowledge in a secure, logical way. The school should refine its curriculum guidance so that staff are clear on the specific knowledge that they should teach and how best to deliver such content.
• In some subjects, the school does not have rigorous processes in place to evaluate how well curriculums are designed and delivered. This sometimes means that the school is not alert to some of the curriculum deficiencies that prevent pupils from learning all that they could. The school should ensure that it has effective approaches to reviewing the design of its subject curriculums so it can evaluate how well these curriculums are being delivered in practice.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)