School rated good in latest Ofsted

Staff at an Oldham primary school are beaming with joy thanks to a good Ofsted.

The Education Watchdog has rated Lyndhurst Primary and Nursery School on Heron Street, good across all five categories of the inspection. 

Officers said children were proud to attend the school and excited to learn new information. 

They behaved well in lessons and during social times in the popular breakfast club. Children fully engaged in their learning and produced high quality work.  

They enjoyed the opportunities provided through the ‘Seven Musts of Focus-Trusts', such as visiting London, completing a first-aid course and planning a charity event.  

Inspectors found pupils gained many skills through a wide range of extra activities such as the engineering club and the sign language. 

They appreciated the school’s reading-rich environment which inspired them to read widely and took on leadership roles enthusiastically, for example, older children helped younger pupils at lunchtimes. 

Officers recognised that children in the early years and pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2 achieved well because the school had high expectations of them. They are also well prepared for the next stage of their education.  

The school has an ambitious curriculum for all pupils including those with special educational needs and disabilities. 

The report said that although in most subjects, the school had carefully thought about the knowledge that children in the early years and pupils in Key Stage 1 and 2 should learn, and when this should be taught, in a few subjects, the curriculum was less clear about what teachers should teach and order in which this should happen. This sometimes hindered pupils from building their knowledge securely over time. 

The report said in 2024, Year 6 pupils' attainment in writing was below average but staff responded swiftly to this dip in published data by revising the English curriculum and made changes to the way reading and writing was taught.  

Inspectors also highlighted that in the same year, the school welcomed a number of pupils in Year 1 that had not previously been in school or had been taught in England.  

They said: “The school worked effectively with these pupils to give them the help that they needed to catch up with the phonics programme. The strategy has been successful. 

“By the end of Year 2, the majority of pupils achieve the phonics screening check. Staff share many books with pupils to develop their vocabulary, understanding of stories and love of reading.

"Pupils enjoy reading a range of books, including some complex traditional stories."

About the inspection, Interim Executive Principal of the School, Ewan McPherson added: “I am really pleased with the report as it shows how well the school works and what a good education it provides for the children. 

“There are many strengths listed such as how well we teach reading and how well the children work together and with the staff to create a warm and friendly environment.  

“Even though I have been here a short time, it is a pleasure to work at Lyndhurst.”