Lime Tree Primary Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 February 2024

Pupils take great pride in being part of this school. They are kind and welcoming. They delight in showing their good manners around the school, such as by holding open doors without prompting. From the early years, children show great consideration for each other. In lessons, pupils behave well and are attentive. They know their teachers want them to do well. However, pupils have not always achieved as well as they should. They work quietly with whatever tasks their teachers give them. They explore new vocabulary and learn new skills. Occasionally, these tasks are a bit too complicated. When this happens, pupils wait sensibly for help or willingly have a go but do not do as well as they could. Pupils are happy and safe at breaktimes. Pupils are confident that their teachers will intervene to stop any unkindness when they know about it. At lunchtime, pupils play games such as basketball together. They can enjoy a good book in the library or come indoors to socialise in a quieter setting. Pupils enjoy helping around the school. Pupil ambassadors are happy to show visitors around. Librarians help to organise the library which has been recently restocked with high-quality texts.

What the school should improve

• Where curriculum plans have been introduced more recently, teachers do not always adapt tasks well enough to enable all pupils to focus on, and develop a secure understanding of, the most important knowledge. When this happens, pupils develop gaps in their understanding or do not achieve as well as they should. The school should ensure that staff are clear about what pupils need to know and have the expertise to teach this effectively.
• Systems to evaluate the effectiveness of changes in provision, including for pupils with SEND, are not well developed or consistently applied. As a result, the school sometimes does not identify what is working well or where to make improvements. The school should ensure that it checks effectively on how well pupils are faring and make changes to provision as required.
• Despite the school's efforts to encourage regular attendance, some pupils are missing too much time in school. These pupils miss out on the academic and social opportunities available to them. This makes it hard for them to keep up with their learning and friendships. The school should further strengthen their work with families to improve attendance for these pupils.

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