SchoolScoresLipson Vale Primary School
Community school · Primary, ages 5 to 11 · Mixed
Bernice Terrace, Lipson, Plymouth, PL4 7HW
01752 224801 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 12 May 2026 , published 24 June 2026.
In short: 6 expected, 1 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
58 pupils in this year group.
59% — 6 points below the Plymouth average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 59% | 65% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 3% | 8% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 69% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 79% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 67% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Plymouth. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 44 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 41 |
| Of those, offered a place | 41 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 75 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Plymouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 37th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 61% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 27.0% | 26.6%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 17th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 64% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.8% | 2.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 42nd highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 57% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.3% | 16.3%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 26th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.0% | 12.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 37th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 52% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.9% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 39th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 45% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 12.4% | 12.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 30th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 47% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.3 | 3.2 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 20th lowest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Lower than 56% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 25th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 67% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.0 | 21.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 27th highest of 75 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 64% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.5 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 27th highest of 71 state primary schools in Plymouth. Higher than 77% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 21.7% | 15.8%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Salisbury Road Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Laira Green Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- High View School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Prince Rock Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mount Street Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hyde Park Infants' School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected
- Compton CofE Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025 · 86% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Cross Catholic Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hyde Park Junior School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Fletewood School and Nursery 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Lipson Vale Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Lipson Vale Primary School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 12 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 6 expected, 1 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Lipson Vale Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 59% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 3 points below the England average of 62%.
Is Lipson Vale Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 41 families put Lipson Vale Primary School as their first choice for 44 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 41 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 113298.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.