Ladypool Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 May 2023

Pupils are very enthusiastic about their learning. The recent changes leaders have made to the way teachers teach subjects mean that pupils are now doing very well in their learning. This includes in writing, where they have made rapid improvements this year after low standards and progress in previous years. Leaders promote high aspirations for all, stating, 'You can be anything you want to be.' Pupils embrace the school's values of 'respect, grow and excel'. They demonstrate these, not just in their lessons, but in their behaviour around school. They get on well with others from different backgrounds. They showed their concern for the wider world by raising money for victims of the recent earthquake in Turkey. They also chose the products to make and sell at the summer fair to raise funds. Leaders make sure pupils can celebrate their own culture as well as gain experiences different to their own. For example, pupils have visited Lickey Hills Country Park, and Birmingham Symphony Hall, where pupils have performed at musical events. Pupils have a strong understanding of keeping themselves safe when using social media. They said they would tell adults whenever rare incidents, such as cyber-bullying, have arisen. Leaders deal with these effectively.

What the school should improve

• A legacy of low progress and standards has led to gaps in pupils' learning in some subjects. As a result, pupils leaving last year were not well prepared for the transition to secondary school. Leaders should ensure that by the time current pupils leave primary school, these gaps in learning have been addressed so that they are ready for Year 7.
• Although attendance is improving, the proportion of pupils who are persistently absent is still high. Consequently, some pupils are missing key learning. Leaders should ensure that persistent absence falls further so pupils do not miss out on learning.
• A significant minority of pupils spoken to during the inspection and those responding to the pupil survey were not so positive about behaviour in school. Some remain worried, having heard about or experienced poor behaviour previously. Leaders should engage more with pupils' views in order to respond to any underlying concerns pupils still have about behaviour.

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