Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 June 2026

Pupils enjoy coming to this inclusive and welcoming school. They greet adults with a warm smile and attend regularly. Pupils understand how the school’s values help them develop a sense of belonging and understand others. While pupils enjoy their learning, over time they do not achieve well enough. Outcomes in national curriculum tests by the end of Year 6 are below the national average. Younger pupils also have gaps in their knowledge, for example in phonics. The early years provision is ineffective. Staff do not have high enough expectations of what children can achieve and do not provide children with learning activities that develop their knowledge, understanding and skills. Consequently, children in the early years are not well prepared for Year 1. Recent changes, particularly the way in which staff teach the curriculum and the provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are having a positive impact on the progress that some pupils make across the curriculum. However, variation in teaching in some subjects and year groups means pupils do not consistently build their knowledge. Some staff do not identify barriers to learning quickly enough. This prevents pupils from getting the support they need to succeed. Staff build positive and warm relationships with pupils. Pupils trust adults to listen to them and help them with any worries or concerns that may arise. This helps pupils to feel safe. Leaders have refined the school’s approach to behaviour. Staff have higher expectations for pupils’ behaviour. Pupils respond well to this. The atmosphere in classes is calm. Bullying is rare. If it does occur, pupils know that adults will deal with it effectively. Pupils enjoy the clubs, trips and activities on offer to them, such as football, trips to the local cinema and residential visits. They take pride in their roles as school councillors and members of the chaplaincy team, which build their confidence and help them to improve their school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum across the early years is consistently well taught so that children secure important knowledge and skills that equip them to be successful in Year 1.
• Leaders should ensure that learning activities in the early years have a clear learning intent and promote children’s learning and language development effectively.
• Leaders should ensure that staff in the early years have the expertise to engage in high-quality interactions so that children are fully prepared for key stage 1.
• Leaders must strengthen the identification of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with other vulnerabilities. They should ensure that adaptations are implemented consistently so that pupils’ needs are met promptly and they can access learning successfully.
• Leaders should ensure that teachers consistently check what pupils know and remember across all subjects and use this to inform future learning.
• Leaders should ensure that pupils are supported to build the necessary knowledge and skills they need across the curriculum, so that they are ready for their next stage of education.
• Leaders should improve the systems that are in place to track pupils' participation in the school’s wider personal development programme so that the offer is precisely matched to pupils' needs.
• Leaders, including governors, should ensure that they build upon their recent actions to improve the school and lead to sustained improvements in teaching and pupils’ achievement.

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