Shepeau Stow Primary School

About Shepeau Stow Primary School

Shepeau Stow Primary School received a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted in its most recent inspection in 2025, a judgement that reflects ongoing challenges in the classroom. The school was not given an overall effectiveness grade in that inspection, but the breakdown shows that both the quality of education and early years provision were rated as Requires Improvement, while personal development and behaviour and attitudes were judged Good. The most telling academic metric is the Key Stage 2 combined reading, writing and maths expected standard: just 40% of pupils reached this benchmark in the 2023/24 academic year, compared with a local authority average of 57%. That places the school 209th out of 280 primary schools in Lincolnshire and in the bottom half nationally. No pupils achieved the higher standard in all three subjects, and progress scores were not published, so it is difficult to track individual pupil gains. The school’s ranking within South Holland is 27th out of 32 schools, putting it in the bottom tier locally.

The picture is mixed when you look at individual subjects. In reading, 70% of pupils met the expected standard and 20% reached the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 103. Maths saw 60% at the expected level and 10% at the higher level, with an average score of 101. Writing was weaker: only 50% met the expected standard and 10% achieved the higher mark. The school’s previous Ofsted inspection in 2022 also rated it Requires Improvement overall, with leadership and management and quality of education both scoring 3, though behaviour and attitudes and personal development were rated Good then too. Parent feedback from a survey conducted between September 2024 and September 2025 was broadly positive: 89% of respondents would recommend the school, and 88% agreed or strongly agreed that their child is happy there. However, only 18 parents responded, so the sample is small.

Shepeau Stow is a small village primary with 68 pupils on roll, well below its capacity of 105. It is oversubscribed for Reception places in 2025/26, with 15 applications for 6 places and all 6 first-preference offers taken up, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.5. The school offers a range of facilities including a gymnasium, forest school, library, music rooms, art studios and an ICT suite, plus clubs such as coding, choir, drama, eco club and art club. Sports include gymnastics, netball, tennis, cross country, athletics and rounders. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and physical disability. This is a school that will suit families who value a small, rural setting with strong parent satisfaction on wellbeing and safety, but who are prepared to support their child’s academic progress in a context where outcomes are below the local average.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Shepeau Stow Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents