A school has retained its "good" rating after its latest inspection - but left an impression it could be marked up to "outstanding" in the future.

Lostock Primary School was visited by education regulator Ofsted on March 7 and 8 as part on an ungraded inspection.

"Good" and "outstanding" schools often receive ungraded inspections like the Glengarth Drive school.

While inspectors stated it continues to be "good", they said "there is enough evidence of improved performance to suggest that the school could be judged outstanding if we were to carry out a graded inspection now".

The report said the school is "a vibrant and welcoming school where pupils are eager to learn", "pupils love coming to school" and "they speak about Lostock Primary School with immense pride".

The report added: “Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary.

"They are incredibly respectful towards each other and to adults. Pupils relish celebrating their positive behaviour.

“Bullying rarely occurs, but if it does, leaders take swift and appropriate action.

"Pupils comment that they feel safe in school.”

Speaking about the curriculum, inspectors praised the school, stating: “A well-considered personal, social, health and economic education curriculum supports pupils to become self-assured, resilient individuals.”

The school was also praised for supporting youngsters with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The report states: “Leaders identify the needs of pupils with SEND accurately.

“They furnish staff with a wealth of information to ensure that they are fully equipped to successfully meet the needs of pupils with SEND.

“Teachers make appropriate adaptations to the delivery of the curriculum to ensure that pupils with SEND learn well.”

Headteacher Vicky Guest said the report reflects the value the school places on the "Lostock family".

She said: “Lostock received an ungraded inspection, so although the overall previous grade of ‘good’ could not be changed, there was enough evidence that had the school received a graded inspection, it would have been judged as 'outstanding'.

“We are obviously thrilled with this outcome.

“However, it is the content of the report, which we are most proud of.

“The report reflects the value we place on our Lostock Family and the fact that our school motto, ‘Aim High, Together We Will Fly’ is at the heart of everything we do.

“We feel incredibly fortunate to work with such amazing children and such talented and committed staff and governors.

“We also want to thank all our parents and carers and other family members for their ongoing support.”

Ungraded inspections do not result in individual graded judgements but focus on determining whether the school remains the same grade as at the school’s previous graded inspection.

It cannot change the overall effectiveness grade of the school.

However, when an ungraded inspection occurs, there are four outcomes that inspectors can take including:

  • Outcome one - the school continues to be a good or outstanding school.
  • Outcome two - the school was previously judged to be good and continues to be good and there is sufficient evidence of improved performance to suggest that it might have been judged outstanding if it had received a graded inspection.
  • Outcome three - the lead inspector is not satisfied that the school would have received at least its current grade if it had received a graded inspection instead of an ungraded inspection.
  • Outcome four - the inspector has gathered evidence that suggests that the good or outstanding school may now be inadequate.

Lostock Primary School was given outcome two, meaning the school has been informed that its next inspection will be a graded inspection, which will typically take place within one to two years of the publication of the ungraded inspection report due to there being sufficient evidence of improved performance.