Ofsted conducted a short inspection of Lakefield CofE Primary School on 25 June 2019, marking the first inspection since the school was judged to be good in June 2013. The inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain a good quality of education. The leadership team has effectively upheld educational standards since the last inspection, and the school has joined the Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust, which has been positively received by both the leadership and governors. The governors appreciate the benchmarking information provided by the trust, which aids in holding the school accountable. The collaborative efforts among primary schools within the trust have fostered joint working, sporting competitions, and curriculum planning.
Feedback from parents, pupils, and governors about Lakefield is overwhelmingly positive. The school offers additional services such as a nursery, before- and after-school care, and holiday clubs, which provide essential support for working parents. The variety of extracurricular activities, including music, sports, and mountain biking, contributes to a strong community spirit. The active parent-teacher association plays a significant role in supporting the school both financially and through volunteer efforts. The school has also created a spiritual garden and a new pond, showcasing the collaborative work between parents and staff. The school prepares pupils well for their transition to secondary education, providing experiences that extend beyond the classroom, such as a residential trip for Year 6 pupils to Bude, Cornwall.
The leadership team remains focused on improving educational quality, with pupils achieving well by the end of key stage 2, particularly in mathematics. However, there is variability in standards across classes, and some pupils, particularly in reading, are not reaching their full potential. Pupils express enjoyment in subjects like science, singing, and physical education, and they appreciate the forest school activities. The school has received various external awards, reflecting its commitment to providing a rich educational experience and prioritizing pupil well-being. However, the pursuit of these awards may detract from addressing fundamental issues in the systematic teaching of reading and mathematics, especially for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
Safeguarding measures are effective, with secure arrangements in place and staff well-trained in child protection. The school community is familiar with the pupils and their families, ensuring support is readily available when needed. The inspection highlighted the need for improvement in the teaching of phonics, particularly for younger pupils who struggle with reading. There is a lack of consistency in the phonics programs used, and staff do not regularly assess pupils' phonics knowledge before providing new reading materials. This inconsistency can hinder the development of reading fluency among weaker readers.
The mathematics subject leader has made strides in improving teaching practices, but there are still limitations in monitoring the implementation of new policies across all classes. The special educational needs coordinator effectively monitors interventions for pupils with special educational needs, but there is a need for better alignment between different assessment records to ensure all pupils make sufficient progress.
The local governing body is supportive and engaged, with members being parents of current pupils. They are well-informed about the school's operations and are committed to maintaining the school's improvement trajectory. The leadership is dedicated to providing a broad and rich curriculum, although the focus on achieving various quality marks has sometimes overshadowed essential teaching practices. Overall, pupils feel safe and happy at Lakefield, enjoying the challenges presented to them and benefiting from the strong relationships fostered within the school community. Parents overwhelmingly recommend the school, reflecting the positive environment cultivated by the leadership and staff.
