Pupils at a Mansfield school feel "happy and cared for” but more needs to be done to improve achievement

Samuel Barlow Primary Academy in Clipstone received the ‘expected standard’ in five out of seven areas but inspectors say achievement and curriculum and teaching ‘needs attention’.

The report states: “Pupils do not achieve as well as they should. While pupils' achievement is improving, particularly in early reading and phonics, their attainment by the time they leave school remains too low.

"Across the school, too many pupils do not secure important knowledge, such as in spelling, handwriting and grammar. This slows their progress across the curriculum and hinders their preparedness for the next steps in their education.

Inspectors described teaching at the school as “variable across the school” and said leaders are taking action through training and monitoring but some of this work has not yet had time to impact.

The report added: “In some lessons, learning does not always build on what pupils already know and teachers do not always check pupils' understanding. This means that, sometimes, poor handwriting, spelling and punctuation go unchecked. This limits pupils' progress.”

The academy - part of Diverse Academies Trust - welcomed inspectors on 6 May 2026 and is one of the first schools in the Trust to be assessed against the new inspection framework.

Since the previous inspection, the school has undergone significant transformation, marking an important milestone in its journey of continuous improvement and development.

Inspectors praised the academy's ambitious leadership, noting that "leaders have high expectations” and that “parents and carers, staff and pupils appreciate the positive changes that have been made.”

The report also highlights the strong sense of belonging felt across the school community, with children saying they feel "safe, happy and cared for” and they “appreciate the community feeling of the school, where people care about each other.”

Executive Principal, Gareth Letton, commented: “We are incredibly proud of the significant improvements that have been made at Samuel Barlow Primary Academy over recent years. The comments from inspectors about our caring culture, high expectations and the positive changes seen by our families and staff are a testament to the dedication of our entire school community. Most importantly, we are delighted that our children feel safe, happy and cared for, because creating an environment where every child can thrive is at the heart of everything we do. While we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to continuing our journey of improvement and ensuring every pupil receives the very best education and opportunities.”

Support for pupils' personal development and wellbeing was also identified as a particular strength of the academy. Inspectors noted that “leaders prioritise pupils personal development and wellbeing. This helps pupils to feel valued and included in the full life of the school.”