East Stour Primary School

Overview

Evidence from this ungraded inspection suggests the school’s work “may have improved significantly across all areas” since the previous inspection, prompting a future graded inspection. The school fosters a culture where “inclusivity and acceptance drive every aspect,” ensuring pupils feel valued, safe, and eager to learn. Leaders and staff are described as passionate and unified, delivering high-quality education that supports pupils from diverse starting points.

Strengths

• Pupils “flourish in the culture of care and kindness,” with behaviour described as “impeccable” and attitudes to learning as enthusiastic.
• Staff are “expert at identifying and supporting pupils with SEND,” ensuring these pupils achieve well and feel included.
• Reading is taught “highly effectively,” with pupils viewing it as “the key to all their learning” and achieving national averages in phonics and Year 6.
• The school maintains a “razor-sharp focus on attendance,” using meticulous records to positively impact the attendance of vulnerable pupils.
• Leaders provide a “comprehensive professional development programme,” ensuring all staff have “excellent professional skills and knowledge.”

Areas to improve

• The report notes that “some pupils are absent more often than the school would like,” though the school is actively addressing this.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”