Lowerplace Primary School in Rochdale, Lancashire, has been inspected and continues to be recognized as a good school. The inspection took place on July 3 and 4, 2024. Pupils express that their school is a happy, safe, and kind environment for learning, benefiting from strong relationships with staff and peers. The staff are well-acquainted with the students and their families, fostering a supportive atmosphere where pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, feel comfortable sharing their concerns. The school promotes effective behavior management, with pupils demonstrating good conduct in lessons and during transitions throughout the school.
Pupils have access to various clubs and leadership opportunities, such as roles as librarians and school council members. The school encourages participation in activities that help develop leadership skills and support peers, particularly those who speak English as an additional language. Academically, the school has high expectations, and pupils generally achieve well across most subjects due to a well-structured curriculum.
The curriculum is broad and balanced, designed to be accessible for all pupils. It emphasizes essential knowledge that students need to acquire, organized in a way that allows them to build on prior learning from early years through to Year 6. Most teachers effectively deliver the curriculum, enabling pupils to retain necessary information. Assessment strategies are employed to identify areas of strength and those needing reinforcement, ensuring that less secure knowledge is revisited to enhance learning opportunities.
However, there are areas for improvement. In a few subjects, some pupils struggle to connect new concepts with their existing knowledge due to a lack of logical sequencing in curriculum delivery. The school has also faced challenges with phonics, as evidenced by published data indicating that the proportion of pupils meeting the expected standard in the Year 1 phonics screening check was below the national average. Contributing factors included high pupil absence rates and significant student turnover. The school has responded by refreshing its phonics curriculum and providing staff with quality training, leading to improved phonics learning for current pupils.
Reading is a central focus at Lowerplace Primary School, with efforts made to create vibrant reading spaces and promote a love for literature among pupils. The early reading program supports children in developing confidence and fluency in reading. The school effectively supports pupils who are new to English or find reading challenging, helping them catch up with their peers and fostering a culture of enthusiastic reading.
The school has established effective systems for identifying and supporting pupils with special educational needs, ensuring they can access the full curriculum and achieve success. Pupils benefit from a variety of trips and visits that broaden their experiences and expose them to different careers and cultures. The school is actively working to improve attendance rates, collaborating with families to address barriers to regular attendance, although challenges remain.
Staff workload is carefully managed, and there is a strong sense of pride among staff in their work and commitment to the community. Safeguarding arrangements are effective, ensuring a safe environment for all pupils. The school is encouraged to ensure that the curriculum is delivered in a logical order to enhance learning connections and deepen pupils' understanding. Overall, Lowerplace Primary School demonstrates a commitment to providing a supportive and effective educational experience for its pupils.
