Rotherfield Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Key findings

Rotherfield is a good school. It has improved significantly since the previous inspection so that now pupils achieve well, their attendance is high and their behaviour and safety are outstanding. Parents and carers are very pleased with all the school does for their children.

The school is not outstanding because : teaching does not always fully ensure that there is sufficient challenge for the more able pupils nor that all pupils have regular opportunites to consolidate and apply their mathematics and English skills across the curriculum. Pupils' progress and their achievement from their starting parts are good. Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage do well because care and support are good and... children settle happily to their learning.

Attainment is consistently above average by the time pupils leave Year 6. Teaching is good and continuing to improve. Teachers know pupils' academic development well through the good use of assessment, and pupils' progress is tracked very carefully.

The good curriculum enables pupils to enjoy a range of activities that promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development very well. Occasionally, tasks planned do not fully engage pupils' interest or provide sufficient challenge for the more able. Pupils' behaviour is outstanding and pupils show excellent attitudes to learning.

They thrive in the caring atmosphere. Partnership with parents and carers is excellent. Attendance is high and pupils say they love coming to school.

The school's attention to their safety means that pupils have an exceptional understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Senior leaders and the governing body have a good understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses. Middle leaders are developing their roles well and opportunities to share best practice are being utilised.

The rigorous focus of senior staff on the quality of teaching, an effective programme of staff performance review and focused staff training have successfully improved the school since the previous inspection.

Information about the school

Rotherfield is a smaller than average-sized primary school. The proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is below the national average.

Most of the pupils are of White British heritage. More pupils than usual join or leave the school roll during the school year. The proportion of disabled pupils and those with special educational needs is above average.

The proportion of pupils supported by school action plus or with a statement of special educational needs is also above average. The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectations for pupils' attainment and progress. The breakfast club operated by the school was visited as part of this inspection.