Gotham Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 June 2026

Pupils enjoy coming to this caring school. They attend regularly and feel safe. The school’s motto of 'being the best we can be together' helps establish a bond between learners and staff. Pupils demonstrate a sense of community. They care for one another and develop a deep sense of respect. Pupils typically behave well in and around school. Pupils understand the importance of following rules and doing the right thing. Learning is generally calm and purposeful. Play times are a joyful time. Older pupils help younger ones. Pupils with special educational needs and or disabilities are well supported. However, this is not always the case for disadvantaged pupils. Although these pupils’ needs are well known, teachers do not always adapt learning as agreed so that all pupils can access learning and do well. The teaching of early reading and handwriting is also inconsistent. This means that some pupils are not ready for their next phase of learning, particularly between the early years and key stage 1. Pupils enjoy their learning. Lessons are generally well organised. Leaders are ambitious for pupils to achieve well. They have a clear view of the quality of teaching and learning. However, they do not check rigorously how well improvements have been implemented. They do not identify precisely enough the impact of improvement strategies. This means pupils’ experiences throughout the school are inconsistent. Pupils benefit from a wide range of experiences in and around the school. Trips and visits enable pupils to learn about the wider world. Visits to local museums and castles place learning into context. The curriculum, and visitors to the school, enable pupils to understand the importance of respecting diversity. Pupils typically make comments such as, ‘It’s important to learn about each other and respect difference.’ Clubs such as chess, art and sport help pupils develop wider interests.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should check with greater rigour and precision that the improvement plan is having the desired impact so that the quality of curriculum and teaching improves quickly.
• Leaders should ensure that teachers adapt learning activities to support all pupils effectively, particularly the most disadvantaged pupils.
• Leaders should ensure that children develop the foundational knowledge they need in the early years provision so that they are ready for their next stage of education.
• Leaders should ensure that pupils' attainment in phonics and writing improves so that more pupils develop these essential skills and ready for their next stage of education, particularly the most disadvantaged and those with low prior attainment.

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