Lordswood School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school School leaders share an ambitious drive for improvement. They have an unwavering desire that all pupils will achieve well.

Subject leaders are effective and produce helpful plans for improving outcomes. They have astutely targeted the need to develop in staff a deeper understanding of what progress looks like, in their subjects. They have introduced assessments to help them track the progress that pupils make.

Teaching has strengthened since the previous inspection. Leaders have ensured that the training and development of staff has resulted in good teaching. However, teachers' questioning does not always challenge pupils to embed their l...earning and deepen their understanding.

Pupils experience a broad and balanced curriculum that inspires them to learn. They enjoy the topics taught and retain the knowledge that they acquire. Pupil premium funding is spent well.

School leaders ensure it supports outcomes for disadvantaged pupils across the school. However, the proportions of disadvantaged pupils achieving greater depth in writing at the end of key stage 1 and key stage 2 is too low. Pupils behave well.

They have positive attitudes to learning and enjoy one another's company and friendship. Parents and carers speak very highly of the school and recognise the many improvements made since the previous inspection. The support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective.

Pupils make good progress from their starting points because of the strong provision they receive. Governors are knowledgeable about the school and know what to do to drive improvement. The newly formed governing body's 'improvement board' is well positioned to support leaders to strengthen outcomes further for all pupils.

In the early years foundation stage, children settle well to life in the Nursery and Reception Year and make good progress from their starting points. Provision for developing pupils' personal development and welfare is outstanding. Pupils receive a broad range of opportunities, across the curriculum, to think about their own and others' beliefs and values, preparing them well for life in modern Britain.

Information about this school

Lordswood School is larger than the average-sized primary school and has nursery provision. The school joined The Griffin Schools Trust in November 2013. The Griffin Schools Trust is a MAT and has 13schools in the South East and Midlands regions.

The head of school has been in post since the previous inspection. The head of school is supported by an executive headteacher who oversees three schools within the MAT. The trust board has appointed an 'improvement board' consisting of local governors, who include both MAT central team staff, headteachers within the MAT and volunteers.

The proportion of pupils with SEND is lower than the national average. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is broadly in line with the national average. The proportion of pupils who speak English as an additional language is lower than the national average.