Lostock Gralam CofE Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Main findings

This is a good school. Under the calm, perceptive and determined leadership of the acting headteacher, the school has overcome a dip in its performance and now ensures that pupils' attainment is above average by Year 6 and that pupils make good progress overall. Some aspects of the school's work are outstanding.

Pupils' adoption of a healthy lifestyle is excellent; pupils make an outstanding contribution to the school and local communities and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is excellent. The school's outstanding promotion of community cohesion, its excellent engagement with parents and carers and its highly-effective use of a range of partnerships, all contribute significantly... to the good quality of pupils' learning and to their considerable well-being. Pupils enjoy learning because they are well-taught and have a curriculum that meets their needs effectively and is considerably enriched by a wide range of memorable experiences.

Although attainment in English overall is above average, pupils' standards and progress in writing are less strong than in reading. The excellent quality of the care, guidance and support results in pupils feeling safe, behaving and attending well, and in pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and pupils who speak English as an additional language progressing as well as their peers. The acting headteacher has carried out a rigorous and accurate root and branch review of the school's performance and provision.

Leaders, together with the governing body and with the keen support of all staff, have taken very effective action to strengthen areas of weakness. This has resulted in a rapid improvement in the quality of teaching and in the curriculum that has resulted in pupils' much higher attainment and better achievement. There is a pragmatic realisation that subject leaders, despite their current overall effective contribution, could be even more effectively involved in supporting colleagues in the classroom and in further promoting whole-school priorities.

The notable improvements over the past year and the clear evidence of their sustainability indicate a good capacity for the school to continue to move forwards.

Information about the school

This is a smaller than average-sized primary school. An average proportion of pupils is known to be eligible for free school meals.

Most pupils are of White British heritage. Of those from minority ethnic backgrounds, a larger proportion than average speaks English as an additional language. An average proportion has special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The school has gained awards in recognition of its promotion of a healthy lifestyle, arts and sport. The breakfast- and after-school clubs available to pupils are run by a private provider and this provision is subject to a separate inspection. Since September 2010, the school has been led by an acting headteacher.

Inspection grades: 1 is outstanding, 2 is good, 3 is satisfactory and 4 is inadequate Please turn to the glossary for a description of the grades and inspection terms