Pupils at Gladstone Primary Academy feel valued, enjoy school and make suitable progress, according to a new Ofsted inspection report.

Inspectors found that leaders of the school on Anchor Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, have established a warm and inclusive culture of high expectations, which pupils rise to.

Pupils are achieving well and engage enthusiastically in lessons at the school, which is part of The Societas Trust. They treat adults and one another with respect, develop resilience and are keen to learn.

Claire Annese, Headteacher, Gladstone Primary Academy, said: “We strive to teach an exciting and engaging curriculum that develops and celebrates pupils' gifts and talents.

“It is very rewarding to see Ofsted recognise that pupils make positive progress from their starting points, which prepares them well for their next stage of education.”

Inspectors found that for disadvantaged pupils or those who have special educational needs and disabilities or are in social care, the barriers to learning are reduced, the report notes.

The report adds that leaders help to raise pupils’ aspirations for later life. For example, visits from engineers, designers and dentists mean that pupils learn about different careers that are available to them when they are older.

Parents are positive about the school and know that leaders care about the families and local community.

In line with the government’s new inspection framework, Ofsted has graded the school across seven areas in addition to safeguarding.

• Achievement - expected standard
• Attendance and behaviour - expected standard
• Curriculum and teaching - expected standard
• Early years - expected standard
• Inclusion - expected standard

• Leadership and governance - expected standard
• Personal development and wellbeing - expected standard
• Safeguarding standards - met

Under Ofsted’s new style inspection reports, the expected standard refers to a high standard and shows that a school is doing everything it should for pupils. Safeguarding standards are judged as either being met or not met.

Jon Lovatt, Chief Executive Officer, The Societas Trust, added: “I am incredibly proud of all the staff, children and governors at the school who deserve the positive recognition that Ofsted has given them, and that the support of the Trust has also been recognised in the report.”

To read the report, published on 13th July 2026, please visit https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/142991.

In the image below, Jon Lovatt, CEO, and Claire Annese, Headteacher, stand with some prize winning students.