Lingham Primary School, located in Moreton, Wirral, underwent an inspection on 27 and 28 February 2024, resulting in an overall effectiveness rating of Requires Improvement. The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated as Requires Improvement, while personal development received a Good rating. This inspection follows a previous grade of Good in May 2018.
Pupils express enjoyment in attending Lingham Primary School, highlighting special days, trips, and leadership roles such as school councillors and reading buddies. They take pride in their contributions, including changes to school routines that have improved the end of the school day. The school maintains high expectations for pupil achievement, yet many do not achieve their full potential, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), who sometimes lack effective support.
The school prioritizes mental health and well-being, with pupils feeling safe and trusting adults to address their concerns. While many pupils demonstrate good behaviour, a minority occasionally disrupt lessons, indicating a need for consistent behaviour management across the school.
Lingham Primary School has made strides in improving its curriculum, which is broad and ambitious. The school has identified key knowledge for pupils to learn, but many subjects have only recently been introduced, leading to gaps in knowledge retention. Teachers are equipped to deliver the curriculum, and there is a focus on developing communication skills in early years. Regular opportunities for pupils to revisit prior learning are helping to reinforce their understanding.
Assessment strategies are in place to identify gaps in learning, and the school is beginning to address these gaps effectively. Pupils with SEND are identified quickly, and the school has sought external support for training. However, staff are not consistently equipped to adapt the curriculum delivery for these pupils, which hinders their learning progress.
Early reading is a priority, with staff receiving training in phonics instruction. Children in early years enjoy engaging with stories and songs, preparing them for future learning. The phonics program supports effective teaching, and pupils are reading books that align with their learning. Teachers are proactive in identifying pupils who need additional support to catch up.
While most pupils meet behaviour expectations, inconsistency among staff leads to some pupils not behaving as well as they could, resulting in lost learning time. The school actively promotes regular attendance and takes tailored actions to address poor attendance, often achieving positive outcomes.
Personal development is well-supported, with early years pupils learning to cooperate and focus. Pupils demonstrate respect for diversity and understand adaptations made for those with SEND, fostering an inclusive environment. The pace of improvement has increased demands on staff, who appreciate the support provided to manage their workload and take pride in their roles.
The safeguarding arrangements at Lingham Primary School are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. To improve, the school needs to embed recent curriculum changes to enhance knowledge retention, ensure consistent behaviour management across all staff, and provide adequate training for teachers to meet the needs of pupils with SEND effectively. The school is committed to addressing these areas to enhance the educational experience for all its pupils.
