Lancot School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Leaders, managers and governors have successfully transformed this previously underperforming school when it opened into one which is now effective, particularly over the last 12 months.

This is a school that continues to improve. Pupils make good progress from their starting points, including those who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities and pupils who are disadvantaged. The school's most able pupils do not all make the progress of which they are capable.

Most teaching and assessment is typically of good quality, although there remains some inconsistency within Years 3 and 4. Pupils respect their teachers and have po...sitive attitudes towards their learning. Pupils behave well.

They enjoy school and feel safe. They are well mannered and relish the many opportunities they are offered to develop their leadership skills. Pupils' attendance is broadly average, although disadvantaged pupils and those who have SEN and/or disabilities attend school less regularly than their classmates.

Pupils enjoy reading, but some of the books they select are too easy. The school's carefully considered and inclusive curriculum motivates pupils to want to achieve, and develops their entrepreneurial skills very well. The school promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development extremely well.

The school's specialist resourced provision, the 'Orchard', for pupils who have social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, is effective in ensuring that these pupils achieve well and develop their confidence. The early years provision is good. Children are well looked after and make good progress in both the Nursery and Reception Years.

The governing body has a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development. Governors ensure that the school meets its statutory requirements. The Challenger Multi-Academy Trust (CMAT) has provided suitable support and challenge to help the school achieve its good overall effectiveness.

Information about this school

The school opened in September 2015. This is the school's first inspection. When the predecessor school, Lancot School, was last inspected by Ofsted, it was judged to have serious weaknesses.

The school is sponsored by the Challenger Multi-Academy Trust. A local governing body oversees the school and is responsible to a board of trustees. Lancot School is larger than the average-sized primary school.

The school hosts a specialist resourced provision called the 'Orchard'. It caters for up to eight pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs. The school does not have any provision for two-year-olds.

Most pupils are White British. The proportion of pupils from minority ethnic groups and those who speak English as an additional language is well below the national average. A below-average proportion of disadvantaged pupils attend the school.

The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is below the national average. The proportion of pupils who have an education, health and care plan is above average. The school meets the government's current floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress in English and mathematics.