The St Margaret's Church of England School, Withern
Main Road, Withern, Alford, LN13 0NBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The St Margaret's Church of England School, Withern is a primary school in Alford for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 393 schools in Lincolnshire. It ranks 6th of 244 primary schools in Lincolnshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2011.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 10 October 2011, report published 4 November 2011
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 29 March 2022
'It is the best school,' is how pupils describe St Margaret's. Pupils enjoy learning and playing together. They behave well because adults have high expectations. Pupils enjoy using the outdoor areas during social times and for learning. For example, they explore different climates and natural spaces in the biomes and zones that leaders have created. Parents and carers value the support and opportunities that the school provides. One parent, typical of many, commented, 'I couldn't wish for a better environment for my child to be learning and growing.' Pupils like helping to make a difference to others in their community. In one such instance, the school council supported a local charity to provide hot drinks for people who are homeless. However, pupils do not have a secure understanding of different faiths and cultures. Pupils can explain exactly whom they would speak to if they had any worries or concerns. They commented that bullying does not happen at school, and that staff sort out any disagreements quickly. A well-planned curriculum is in place to help pupils learn and know more.
What the school should improve
- Governors are overly reliant on what leaders tell them. This prevents them from being able to check well enough the impact of leaders' actions. Governors should assure themselves that the information with which they are presented is accurate, so that they can hold leaders to account more effectively.
- Pupils' knowledge of fundamental British values, including different faiths and cultures, is less strong than other aspects of their personal development. Leaders should ensure that pupils are able to broaden their knowledge of different faiths and cultures, so they are well prepared for life in modern Britain.
- On occasion, the implementation of the curriculum leads to a few pupils becoming unfocused and not learning as well as they should. Leaders should ensure that across all subjects, teaching activities enable all pupils to remain fully focused on their learning.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
8 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
75 pupils on roll, with places for 70
Schools near The St Margaret's Church of England School, Withern
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theddlethorpe Academy | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| East Wold Church of England Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 29% met the expected standard |
| Grimoldby Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 76% met the expected standard |
| Alford Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 72% met the expected standard |
| Mablethorpe Primary Academy | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 48% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Miss Karen Robinson
- Phone
- 01507450375
- Address
- Main Road, Withern, Alford, LN13 0NB
- Local authority
- Lincolnshire
- URN
- 120588
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.