Frithville Primary School Review 2026: A small village primary with strong wraparound care, and a clear improvement focus

The most useful current academic indicator for families is therefore the latest inspection’s practical diagnosis. The quality of education was graded Requires improvement, with the report describing a stronger, well-organised English curriculum and improvements in early reading through a newer phonics programme. The remaining gaps are specific: in some foundation subjects, leaders have not yet identified precisely what pupils should learn, staff subject knowledge is not consistently secure, and assessment systems in those subjects are still developing.

Writing is another clear focus. The report notes that pupils can be inspired by carefully chosen texts, but do not always apply what they know, and older pupils do not consistently have enough opportunities to write at length. The implication is straightforward: if your child enjoys writing, ask how extended writing is planned across subjects; if your child finds writing hard, ask what scaffolds and feedback routines are in place to build stamina and pride in work.

(For parents comparing local schools, the FindMySchool Local Hub and comparison tools are best used to review nearby primary options side by side, especially where published results are available elsewhere.)

Early reading is a priority. The inspection describes a phonics approach where reading books are closely matched to pupils’ phonics knowledge, and where leaders track which sounds pupils know securely. That is the sort of operational detail that typically correlates with smoother progress in Reception and Key Stage 1, even though the school is officially described as 5 to 11 in the inspection documentation.

Beyond English, the core task is consistency. The report is clear that some curriculum areas are further along than others, and that leaders need sharper checks on implementation so that what is intended is actually delivered in classrooms. In a small school, this kind of tight alignment matters, because mixed-age groupings and small teaching teams can magnify any inconsistency in planning and subject expertise.

Support for pupils with SEND stands out as a comparative strength. Leaders are described as knowing what pupils need to learn next, and transitions to secondary are planned carefully, with pupils better prepared for the next stage as a result.

As a village primary, the typical pathway is progression to local secondary schools within Lincolnshire, depending on family preference, transport, and the local authority’s admissions process. The inspection notes that transition to secondary for pupils with SEND is planned carefully, which is often where families most need reassurance, including visits, phased transition, and clear information sharing with the receiving school.

If you are shortlisting secondaries, it is worth asking what the school’s Year 6 transition programme looks like in practice, for example, how it develops independence, study habits, and emotional readiness for a bigger setting.

Frithville is a state school with no tuition fees. Admissions for primary entry in Lincolnshire are coordinated through the local authority.

For September 2026 entry into Reception, Lincolnshire’s application window opens on 17 November 2025 and closes on 15 January 2026. The county’s final closing date for late applications and changes is 12 February 2026, and the local authority’s timetable then includes reopening for late changes from 16 April 2026 and a further closing date of 16 May 2026.

The school’s own admissions page links to its admissions policies, including the 2026 to 2027 policy, and invites families to arrange a visit.

Demand indicators in the provided admissions data suggest the school can be oversubscribed in some cycles, with 12 applications recorded against 4 offers for the primary entry route. In a small school, modest changes in local demographics can shift these ratios quickly, so families should treat recent demand as a signal rather than a promise.

(Practical tip: where distance is a deciding factor, parents should use FindMySchoolMap Search to check their exact home-to-gate distance before relying on any assumed priority.)

The most recent inspection describes a positive baseline: pupils play happily together, lunchtimes are harmonious, pupils understand the golden rule of treating others as they would like to be treated, and safeguarding arrangements are effective.

The safeguarding section includes practical, locally relevant education, including helping pupils understand risks near water and online safety, alongside clear staff vigilance and appropriate use of external agencies where needed. For parents, the key point is not a headline statement but the operational detail: leaders record concerns carefully and address them promptly, and governance checks that pupils feel safe and that recruitment checks are completed.

Outdoor learning and responsibility are used in tangible ways. The inspection notes pupils are proud of a greenhouse built from recycled plastic bottles, and describes them caring for and selling vegetables grown in beds, which is a strong example of linking practical science, environmental responsibility, and enterprise in a way that is meaningful for primary-aged pupils.

Trips and visits also appear in the school’s own extracurricular information, including visits to London, Blackfriars, Tattershall Farm Park, and an annual residential described as PGL. Residentials are often where small schools shine, because mixed-age friendships and staff familiarity can help pupils who might feel anxious about being away from home.

Sport and physical activity are visible too. The inspection mentions clubs including cricket and multi-sports, and the school’s website states that swimming takes place every Tuesday. The combination suggests regular participation rather than sport reserved for a small group, which suits families who want activity built into routine rather than treated as an optional extra.

The school gates open at 08:35, registration is at 08:45, and the school day ends at 15:15.

Wraparound care is offered during the school year. Breakfast club starts from 07:30 (with a second start option at 08:00), and after-school care runs to 16:00, 17:00, or 18:00, with an optional light supper. Booking is managed via the My Child at School app, and families are asked to book by the end of Monday for the following week.

Transport is typically car-based in this setting, with families also considering school transport eligibility where relevant. Lincolnshire explicitly recommends checking eligibility before applying, as this can affect school choices.

• Inspection outcome and improvement priorities. The latest Ofsted inspection (July 2023) judged the school Requires improvement overall, with specific priorities around curriculum consistency and extended writing. Parents should ask to see how curriculum plans and checks have changed since that inspection.

• Small-school volatility. With a very small roll reported in inspection documentation, outcomes, staffing changes, and even club availability can feel more changeable year to year than in larger primaries.

• Curriculum consistency beyond English. Reading and English organisation are described as stronger than some other subjects, where leaders are still sharpening what is taught and how learning is checked. If your child is particularly keen on humanities or arts, ask how those subjects are planned and assessed.

• Wraparound places are limited. Breakfast and after-school sessions are available, but places are described as limited and require advance booking, which matters for working families.

Frithville Primary School offers a personal, inclusive village-school experience with practical strengths in wraparound care and a clear understanding of what needs to improve. Behaviour and personal development are solid, safeguarding is effective, and there are credible signs of momentum in early reading. The most important question for prospective families is how confidently the school can now deliver a consistent curriculum across all subjects, not only in English.

Best suited to families who value a small-school feel, strong day-to-day relationships, and wraparound options, and who are comfortable engaging with a school that is actively working through an improvement plan.