Exmouth: Lympstone C of E Primary School gets 'Good' Ofsted rating

Ofsted has rated Lympstone Church of England Primary School 'Good' in its most recent inspection.

The education watchdog has a four-tier rating system: Inadequate, Requires Improvement, Good, and Outstanding. 

The school's rating has gone up and down in previous years. In 2006, it was 'Satisfactory' (now known as Requires Improvement). Then, in 2009, it was 'Good' before going back down to 'Requires Improvement' in 2013, up to 'Good' in 2015, down to 'Requires Improvement' in 2018, and finally back up to 'Good' in 2022.

The most recent inspection of Lympstone Church of England Primary School was carried out from 26 to 27 April this year.

The report

Highlights of the report included the fact that the school was described as 'warm, friendly and welcoming', pupils behave well and treat each other and staff with respect, and children in the early years reportedly 'get off to a flying start'.

Ofsted said the headteacher, Emily Mellor, has driven improvement at the school 'with great determination', and both leaders and staff share a 'clear and ambitious vision' for the school.

The curriculum has been strengthened, with maths and early reading highlighted as particularly strong. Pupils can also recall securely what they have learned across some subjects, but not all.

Ofsted also found the school's special educational needs and disabilities provision good, with pupils' needs identified quickly in the early years.

The school reportedly 'makes effective use of close links with the local church' to develop pupils' understanding of faith and the community. However, its PSHE offering is 'not always taught at a time that would be most useful to pupils'.

The arrangements for safeguarding are also 'effective'.

Recommending what the school should do to improve, Ofsted said it should strengthen the curriculum in some subjects that are not as well developed as those at the core.

The school was approached for comment but it did not immediately respond by the time of publication.

Click here to read the Ofsted report in full.