Lytchett Matravers Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 20 June 2023

Lytchett Matravers is a happy, safe and secure environment. Relationships throughout the school are warm and welcoming. Pupils are full of pride when discussing their school. Staff and parents react similarly. Pupils particularly value the school's nurturing ethos. They feel comfortable discussing worries with trusted adults. Some pupils use 'The Nest,' where staff help them deal with their anxieties. Leaders have recently revised the school's behaviour policy. As part of this process, they asked pupils for their views. As a result, pupils understand staff's expectations of them. They behave well in class and at social times. Pupils respectfully listen to each other's views in group work. They hold doors open to visitors. Leaders ensure that pupils experience a high-quality curriculum beyond the academic. Sport has a high profile in the school. Many pupils talk of their enjoyment of physical activity. This includes competitions in a diverse range of sports where the school has enjoyed success, such as netball and sailing. Pupils pursue their talents and interests through a range of clubs such as eco-club, chess, choir and sewing. Older pupils talk excitedly about enhancing their drama and musical skills in the key stage 2 production.

What the school should improve

• In some subjects, teachers' expectations are not high enough. They do not provide pupils with tasks that match the high ambition of the curriculum. As a result, pupils do not learn as much as they could. Leaders need to ensure that teachers' expectations of pupils in all subjects are high so that they learn well across the curriculum.

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