Nythe Primary School’s first Ofsted inspection since joining Excalibur Academies Trust highlights notable progress and a supportive learning environment, while emphasising that educational quality still needs to improve.
Nythe Primary School has recently undergone its first Ofsted inspection since joining Excalibur Academies Trust in February 2020. The report, published in May 2025, acknowledges notable improvements but indicates that the quality of education still “requires improvement.” Despite this, the school has received satisfactory ratings in four of the five assessed areas, reflecting a broader commitment to enhancing the educational experience it offers.
During the inspection, conducted on March 18 and 19, 2025, Ofsted inspectors noted that Nythe Primary School is moving in a positive direction, citing that the setting is now a “happy and caring place to learn.” The report identifies a marked change in the atmosphere of the school, emphasizing the effectiveness of recent leadership stability. “The school has been through an unsettling time,” the Ofsted report stated, highlighting past leadership and staffing disruptions that adversely affected pupil behaviour and learning standards. It has also been suggested that some staff have historically maintained lower expectations around students’ written work, an area that the school is actively addressing.
The recent improvements to teaching methodologies and curriculum design are commended, although the inspectors also pointed out that these changes have yet to fully materialize in some pupils’ learning outcomes. Nonetheless, the commitment from staff to improving educational quality is evident; there’s a renewed focus on developing children’s communication and language skills, which is beginning to yield results. More pupils than previously reported are now achieving reading proficiency, a positive development that signifies the school’s efforts are paying off.
Ofsted has recognised Nythe Primary School for the enriching experiences it provides beyond the academic sphere. Inspectors noted the assurance pupils have in staff to tackle issues such as bullying promptly and effectively, reinforcing the school’s supportive environment. This emphasis on student wellbeing is echoed by principal Gudrun Osborn, who stressed the school’s commitment to placing children at the heart of its mission. “Visitors to the school leave with a strong impression of both the children’s and staff’s enthusiasm, happiness, supportiveness, and kindness,” she remarked, reflecting her pride in the school community.
Nick Lewis, CEO of Excalibur Academies Trust, also expressed pride concerning the report. He pointed out that it acknowledges the collective effort of the entire team, indicative of the effective support and challenge provided by the Trust in enhancing educational standards.
While Nythe Primary School continues to navigate its path toward improvement, the report highlights a foundation of success built on community engagement, dedicated leadership, and ongoing developmental strategies. The positive momentum instilled by these initiatives presents an optimistic outlook for the school, suggesting that its aspirations for excellence in education are well within reach.
Reference Map
- All paragraphs informed by article [1].
- Paragraph 2 informs from article [2].
- Paragraph 3 integrates content from article [4].
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/25148355.ofsted-nythe-primary-school-education-needs-improving/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/147511 – This is the Ofsted inspection report for Nythe Primary School, which became an academy converter on 1 February 2020. The report provides detailed information about the school’s performance, leadership, and educational quality.
- https://www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/147511 – This page from the UK government’s Get Information about Schools service offers comprehensive details about Nythe Primary School, including its address, headteacher, age range, and capacity.
- https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/2050993.ofsted-delights-nythe-primary/ – An article from the Swindon Advertiser highlighting a positive Ofsted report for Nythe Primary School, noting that pupils are so engaged they don’t want to go home, and parents express high satisfaction with the school’s performance.
- https://www.schooldash.com/school/126249/ – This profile provides detailed information about Nythe Primary School, including its closure in 2020, contact details, and historical data on pupil numbers and performance.
- https://www.tutorhunt.com/schools/nythe-primary-school/ – A profile of Nythe Primary School, detailing its status as a community school, pupil demographics, performance metrics, and historical Ofsted inspection reports.
- https://www.locrating.com/schools-Nythe-Primary-School-0urn147511.aspx – A comprehensive overview of Nythe Primary School, including key findings from the 2016 Ofsted inspection, pupil demographics, and performance data.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The content is very recent, referencing an Ofsted inspection conducted in March 2025 and a report published in May 2025. This indicates high freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from Principal Gudrun Osborn and Nick Lewis, the CEO of Excalibur Academies Trust, are included without specific sources for their earliest use. They appear to be original to this context.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Swindon Advertiser, a local news source. While this is reputable for local news, it may not hold the same level of national or international credibility as major news outlets like the BBC or Reuters.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The report aligns with typical Ofsted inspection findings and the context of educational improvements. The changes and challenges mentioned are plausible within the context of school development.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is generally reliable, given its recent publication, plausible claims, and original quotes. However, the source reliability score is slightly lower due to it being from a local newspaper rather than a larger, more renowned publication.
