Lydiard Millicent CofE Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 June 2024

The curriculum is not yet ambitious enough for all pupils. Recent improvements to the core curriculum have had a positive impact. Pupils develop their fluency as readers and mathematicians as they move through the school. However, pupils' knowledge in the wider foundation curriculum is not in as depth as it needs to be. The curriculum does not yet support all pupils to build their knowledge well. Lydiard Millicent CofE Primary School is a school that encourages pupils to 'believe, learn and grow'. Pupils are welcoming and respectful. The school is inclusive and pupils' attitudes to learning are positive. Pupils enjoy learning new things and solving problems. Pupils have opportunities to take on leadership responsibilities in the school. They say that these roles make them feel proud. For example, the school council created a wish list from their classes for equipment to purchase for use during lunchtimes. Older pupils set a positive example to others. Pupils from different year groups play together at social times. The school sees supporting pupils' mental health and well-being as a high priority. A trained member of staff provides regular mental health support for pupils. Pupils know they can talk to trusted adults in school if they have any worries.

What the school should improve

• In some wider curriculum subjects, the school has not yet identified the precise knowledge they want pupils to know and remember. This means that pupils do not build their knowledge well. The trust must ensure that the important knowledge they want pupils to learn is identified so that pupils build on what they know to deepen their understanding.
• The implementation of the intended curriculum is not yet consistent across all subjects and classes. As a result, pupils do not build their knowledge well. The trust needs to ensure that the curriculum is fully embedded and implemented effectively to ensure pupils learn well over time and progress as well as possible through the curriculum.
• Assessment is not used with enough precision to check what pupils know and remember. Learning is not adapted to build pupils' knowledge sequentially. As a result, pupils struggle to recall their prior learning. The trust needs to develop its approach to assessment across the curriculum so that pupils build on knowledge well over time.
• Some parents have a negative view of the school. It has been challenging for the school to overcome this. As a result, it has been difficult for the school to engage with these parents. The trust should ensure parental engagement continues to improve. This will enable parents to fully understand the school's vision so that everyone can unite in their ambition for all pupils to achieve their best.

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