Primary school has to do better

A South Lincolnshire school requires improvement according to its latest Ofsted report.

Shepeau Stow Primary was visited by inspectors from the monitoring organisation in November.

Pupils told them: “This is a nice school. We like our friends and our learning. We feel proud to come here,” the report says.

Leaders have made improvements to the curriculum, but there is more to do, the inspectors found.

“Over time, leaders have not ensured that the quality of education is good in all subjects. Leaders have identified the key content they expect pupils to learn. However, they have not established ways to teach the curriculum content successfully in some subjects,” the report says.

“There is not a consistent approach to checking what pupils know and remember in foundation subjects.

As a result, teachers do not regularly check how well pupils remember the wider curriculum.”

But parents and carers are positive about the school with one saying: “The children’s wellbeing is of utmost importance. The school does well to offer as many enriching activities and opportunities as possible.”

Reading is prioritised and there is also a consistent approach to teaching phonics.

Positive relationships between children and adults were highlighted, along with strong support for pupils who have special educational needs.

Staff are positive about the school, and the professional support while the governors know the school well.

There is also a ‘strong culture of safeguarding’ at the school and children know who to go to if they have any concerns.

The report concluded the school was good in key areas of personal development, behaviour and attitudes. It requires improvement in early years’ provision, leadership and management and in the quality of education.

The school was previously rated as being ‘good.’