Rougham Church of England Primary School near Bury St Edmunds celebrates Ofsted result of ‘good’ with ‘outstanding’ areas after being told to improve two years ago

A headteacher has said her school’s improved Ofsted grading reflects what everyone involved with the primary already believed at the previous inspection two years ago.

Rougham Church of England Primary School, in Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds, was inspected by the watchdog last month and found to be ‘good’ overall and outstanding in three out of five areas: behaviour and attitudes, personal development and early years provision.

The outcome of its last full Ofsted inspection, in 2022, was ‘requires improvement’.

The latest inspection report described a school where pupils ‘thrive’ because of their teachers’ very high expectations, students are ‘extremely well behaved’, and there is a rich range of extra-curricular activities, which help build new skills and confidence.

Headteacher Clare Clark said: “Rougham is a wonderful school full of fantastic families, and talented and dedicated staff.

“We are so fortunate to be part of the Tilian Partnership who have supported and worked with us throughout our journey of improvement since we joined the trust in 2017.

“We are extremely pleased that Ofsted has recognised in this report what everyone involved with Rougham Primary already believed about the school at the last inspection two years ago.

“To be graded as outstanding in three out of five areas is an incredible achievement and we are all very proud."

The report said: “The school is a happy and welcoming place to learn. Staff nurture positive relationships with pupils. They encourage pupils to ‘let their light shine’. Pupils are safe.

“From Reception, pupils learn to be curious, confident, independent learners. They are sensible, kind and respectful.”

The report also said there was a broad and ambitious curriculum, the school prioritises learning to read, and pupils achieve well.

Staff are highly trained and know students well, and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) get the right support as early as possible.

Pupils’ attendance is high and the school’s curriculum for the personal development of pupils is ‘exceptional’.

The report added: “They support one another to be the best version of themselves.”

Andrew Berry, CEO of the Tilian Partnership, said: “This report is a recognition of the excellence at Rougham and a testament to the dedication of staff, governors and pupils.”

To improve further, Ofsted said the school should ensure that it includes regular opportunities to revisit key information so that pupils build on what they know and can do in all subjects, as currently in a small number of subjects there are gaps in pupils’ knowledge and understanding.