Ford Primary School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good

Cambridge Road, Ford, Plymouth, PL2 1PUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Ford Primary School is a primary school in Plymouth for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 103 schools in Plymouth. It ranks 40th of 71 primary schools in Plymouth. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in February 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 11 February 2025, report published 13 March 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 February 2025

Ford Primary is a safe and nurturing school. Pupils, and their parents and carers, value this amidst the recent challenges that the community have faced. Pupils are happy. They form warm, respectful relationships with staff. Pupils are enthusiastic about their learning, and they focus well on their work in lessons. Children in the early years concentrate intensely when engaging in different activities. The school has established a positive climate for learning. The school has high expectations for pupils' achievements. Although published outcomes at key stage 2 are below national average, current pupils successfully build their knowledge over time. They produce high quality work and talk confidently about their learning. Pupils can attend clubs that include running, choir, chess, and Gamelan. Pupils appreciate these and make good use of them. At lunch times, pupils access a range of well-planned activities. For example, arts and gardening. Pupil 'buddies' organise equipment for pupils to play with. Pupils contribute positively to the school environment. An ethos of shared responsibility is demonstrated through a variety of 'pupil councils' such as safeguarding, play, maths, and reading. Some older pupils are training to be 'learning coaches'. Pupils understand that teaching and supporting their peers is an important life skill.

What the school should improve

  • The school does not have a carefully planned programme of enrichment. Therefore, opportunities for pupils to pursue their interests and increase their range of experiences are limited. The trust should ensure that opportunities for pupils to develop and stretch their talents and interests are carefully planned across, and beyond, the curriculum.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

29 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths66%

66%, 4 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths7%

7%, 1 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Pupil numbers and mix

171 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals42.1%

42.1%, 15.6 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language22.8%

22.8%, 1.2 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support26.9%

26.9%, 12.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.3%

2.3%, 3.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Ford Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
College Road Primary School0.4 milesOfsted: Good58% met the expected standard
Keyham Barton Catholic Primary School0.5 milesOfsted: Good61% met the expected standard
Drake Primary Academy0.5 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard55% met the expected standard
Morice Town Primary Academy0.6 milesOfsted: Good57% met the expected standard
Mayflower Academy0.6 milesOfsted: Outstanding84% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
LEARNING ACADEMIES TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr David Sammels
Address
Cambridge Road, Ford, Plymouth, PL2 1PU
Local authority
Plymouth
URN
145652

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.