Lydford Primary School, located in Okehampton, Devon, has recently undergone an inspection on 10 and 11 October 2023, resulting in an overall effectiveness rating of good. The school is part of the Dartmoor Multi-Academy Trust, which provides additional support and oversight. The principal, Adam Hill, leads a dedicated team that fosters a positive learning environment for its 23 pupils, who are taught in two mixed-age classes.
Pupils express pride in attending Lydford Primary School, describing it as an inspirational and happy place. The staff cultivate caring relationships with students and their families, ensuring that pupils feel safe and supported. The school promotes exemplary behavior, with a calm and purposeful atmosphere in classrooms. Students are eager to participate in lessons and demonstrate high levels of respect for one another. Older pupils take on responsibilities by looking out for younger peers during playtime and lunchtime.
The school encourages pupils to engage with the local community, providing opportunities for them to sing and read to elderly residents and participate in environmental stewardship at Lydford Gorge. Pupils also take part in various extracurricular activities, including sporting competitions with other schools. The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, with a clear focus on essential knowledge from Reception to Year 6. The school has made significant improvements since the last inspection, addressing previous areas for development effectively.
Reading is a strong focus at Lydford Primary School, with children in Reception quickly learning sounds to read simple words. Regular assessments help ensure that pupils build confidence and accuracy in their reading skills. Older students enjoy a diverse range of texts, which contributes to their development as confident readers. The mathematics curriculum is also well-designed, with teachers effectively explaining new concepts and checking pupils' understanding to provide appropriate challenges.
While pupils generally build knowledge well in many subjects, some areas of the wider curriculum require improvement. For instance, in art, pupils struggled to recall key information about artists they had studied, indicating gaps in their learning. The school is committed to supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring they have access to the full curriculum and receive tailored support to reach their potential.
Pupils at Lydford Primary School demonstrate acceptance of each other's differences, contributing to a welcoming environment. The school emphasizes personal development, helping students understand diversity and equality through carefully selected texts and activities. Pupils articulate their understanding of fundamental British values, such as democracy and tolerance, and recognize the importance of treating everyone equally.
Staff members are positive about the support provided by the trust, benefiting from collaboration with colleagues across schools to enhance their practice. The school has effective safeguarding arrangements in place, ensuring the safety and well-being of all pupils.
To further improve, the school needs to enhance the use of assessment in some subjects to ensure that pupils retain and build upon their knowledge over time. The trust is encouraged to support teachers in using assessment effectively across all subjects to facilitate deeper learning and knowledge retention. Overall, Lydford Primary School is a nurturing environment where pupils thrive academically and socially, with a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
