Inspectors praise Longford Park Primary School for giving children a “flying start’
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5/03/2026
Longford Park Primary School in Banbury has been given a glowing report by Ofsted inspectors. The school was specifically praised for its welcoming environment, high standards of behaviour, and ambitious leadership, with several key areas rated as a "Strong Standard," meaning the school is performing above the expected level.
The official Ofsted report highlights a positive school culture and welcoming environment. Pupils are proud of their school, describing it as a community where “everybody is respected”. Relationships between staff and pupils are "warm and trusting" and parents appreciate the caring relationships staff build with families.
Behaviour is described as "calm and respectful" and pupils' conduct is considered a "a credit to themselves and the school". Bullying is noted as being "extremely rare".
Inspectors noted that ‘inclusion is at the heart of the school’s work’ and ‘there is a relentless commitment by leaders to enhance the experiences and opportunities provided to all pupils’
Leaders use funding "intelligently" to ensure pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can access the curriculum alongside their peers. Inspectors said the school’s leadership has "exceedingly high aspirations" and acts decisively to secure improvements. They model high professional standards, and staff feel "valued, supported and trusted".
Children are given a "flying start" in Early Years, with pupils receiving an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum that prepares them well for Year 1. Staff prioritise high-quality interactions that build language skills and a love of reading.
The school is performing very well when compared with national averages:
- Reading, Writing, and Mathematics (Combined): In the 2023/24 academic year, 73% of pupils reached the expected standard, which was above the national average of 61%
- Reading: In 2023/24, 91% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, significantly exceeding the national average of 74%.
- Teacher-Assessed Writing: The school outperformed the national average for two consecutive years. In 2024/25, 85% of pupils met the standard (vs. 72% nationally), and in 2023/24, 86% met the standard (vs. 72% nationally).
The school is helping pupils become "confident, reflective and responsible citizens" with a wide range of enrichment activities, such as origami, chess, choir, and sports clubs.
Headteacher Zoe Spilberg said: “I am very proud of this report, which reflects the dedication to inclusion, the ambition for all children and the warmth and care that defines our school. It is wonderful to see our pupils’ respectful behaviour and love of learning recognised so clearly by Ofsted. The inspectors’ comments about our strong curriculum, caring relationships and ‘exceedingly high aspirations’ mean a great deal to us, because they capture what we strive for as a school community. It’s a huge credit to our dedicated staff who deliver wonderful learning experiences for our children every day.”
The full report can be found here.
For more information about the school please contact info@longfordparkschool.org.
