Lakeside Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 1 July 2025

Pupils receive a warm welcome at Lakeside Primary Academy. Pupils who join the school, including those who arrive from countries all over the world, soon feel at home in this caring environment. Pupils have a strong sense of belonging. They describe their school as 'a kind place' and somewhere that 'every child can be happy and learn'. Since the last inspection, behaviour has improved significantly. Pupils understand how important it is to help each other to do their best. They learn and play together well. Pupils listen with care to the ideas and opinions of others. They show empathy and offer encouragement if someone is upset. Staff are positive role models for pupils. They are patient and compassionate. Pupils who need more help to manage their feelings receive well-considered support. Pupils trust the staff in school. They feel safe. The school has raised its expectations of what pupils can achieve. School leaders have successfully addressed many of the concerns raised at the last inspection. Nevertheless, pupils do not receive an education that is good enough. As a result, pupils do not achieve as well as they should and are not fully prepared for the next stage in their education.

What the school should improve

• The school has not ensured that staff consistently deliver the curriculum effectively across subjects. Not enough pupils achieve well, and as a result, they are not sufficiently prepared for the next stage in their education. The school should ensure that staff have the skills they need to support pupils to know and remember the intended curriculum.
• A small number of pupils with SEND do not have access to a balanced curriculum. These pupils are not provided with the opportunities they need to develop their knowledge across a wide range of subjects. The school should ensure that a broad curriculum is offered to pupils.
• Not enough staff are sufficiently expert to teach early reading well. Some pupils do not acquire an understanding of the phonics code as quickly as they could. The school should ensure that staff have the knowledge they need to deliver the phonics programme effectively.
• A number of parents express their dissatisfaction with the ways in which the school communicates with them. As a result, they are not confident that the school is providing the best possible education for their child. The school should continue to work in partnership with parents to seek their views and address their concerns.

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