Lydbrook Primary School in the Forest of Dean has received high praise from Ofsted for its commitment to fostering a positive and nurturing environment. The school, serving 83 pupils aged 3 to 11, has been commended for its community-centered ethos and welcoming atmosphere, where pupils are encouraged to take on leadership roles and actively engage in community activities.
Ofsted particularly lauded the school for promoting kindness and responsible behavior among its students, leading to a safe and happy learning environment. The school’s focus on community engagement, including initiatives such as ‘well-being ambassadors’ and participation in community activities like church singing and litter picking, has been highly valued.
One of the school’s key successes lies in its emphasis on reading and early years education. The report highlighted the positive reading culture fostered at Lydbrook, with a strong focus on phonics for early years pupils to aid in their reading and writing skills development. The school’s proactive approach to language development, vocabulary modeling, and encouraging the use of new words has also been noted.
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However, the report also identified areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring a secure body of knowledge across the curriculum, specifically in mathematics and writing. It highlighted the need for better clarity and progression in certain subjects to facilitate a deeper understanding of the material. Additionally, there were concerns about pupils' struggle to recall essential knowledge and challenges with letter formation and spelling, especially for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Despite these challenges, the leadership team’s commitment to ongoing improvement, along with the active involvement of governors and strong support from parents, indicates a positive trajectory for the school’s development.
Ultimately, the school has been scheduled for a full graded inspection in the near future, reflecting its determination to continue striving for excellence.