Bury: Primary school praised after retaining ‘good’ Ofsted rating

Lowercroft Primary School was visited by Ofsted in January.

A report published on February 12 found that the Ashington Drive school had retained its “good” rating from when Ofsted last inspected it five years ago.

It praised the school for maintaining high levels of attendance and for “contributing strongly” towards pupils’ social, moral, spiritual and cultural development.

It said: “The school works well with families to overcome any barriers that may prevent pupils from attending school as often as they should.

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“From the beginning of the early years, pupils benefit from the ‘Pupil Charter’.

“This includes access to outdoor learning in the school’s forest area and visits, such as to the seaside, a ski slope and the pantomime.

“Opportunities to develop responsible citizenship include working with the local community and raising funds for good causes. 

“Pupils’ personal, social, health and economic education prepares them well for life beyond primary school.

“They know about the different cultures and religions found in modern Britain and demonstrate strong understanding of the importance of mutual tolerance and respect.

“Pupils learn the importance of healthy lifestyles. They learn about how to stay safe online and in their local communities.”

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Inspectors noted that although the school had undergone several recent leadership changes, the governing body had supported it well.

They added: “It has ensured that the school maintains a sharp focus on the quality of education that pupils receive and that standards remain high.”   

The report found that pupils and staff are “proud to be part of this happy and harmonious school community” and that pupils strive to embody the school values in all that they do.

It added that pupils at the school enjoy learning about a wide range of subjects and typically achieve well thanks to the “ambitious” and well-balanced curriculum.

Inspectors recommended that some improvements could be made around presenting new information to pupils more clearly and that staff should ensure that gaps in pupils’ knowledge are identified and addressed.

The report said that the school has a “sharp focus” on developing pupils’ reading expertise and ensures that staff are “well trained to successfully deliver the phonics programme”.

It also added that the school has successfully strengthened its approach to identifying and meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

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Headteacher Janine McGadie said: “We are delighted that the Ofsted report highlights the dedication and hard work of our staff and pupils.

“It’s a testament to our school’s commitment to providing a well-rounded, high-quality education for every child.”

“At Lowercroft Primary, we strive to create a happy, inclusive, and ambitious learning environment, and it is wonderful that this has been recognised by the inspector.”

“The report acknowledges our broad curriculum, strong pastoral care, and the positive relationships we foster throughout the school community.

“We are incredibly proud of our pupils and staff.”