Elmstead Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 June 2026

Pupils enjoy coming to school and are well prepared for the next stage of their education. From the early years onwards, pupils develop a love of learning, independence and resilience. These qualities strengthen as they move through the school. Pupils are eager to share their achievements, taking pride in what they have learned and created. Pupils show a strong sense of responsibility and community. For example, Year 6 pupils built a den that is open for everyone to use. They set high expectations for how the space should be treated and ensure that everyone uses it respectfully. In Reception, children built a boat and invited others to join them on an imaginative voyage to Australia. These experiences encourage creativity, cooperation and inclusion. Relationships between pupils and staff are warm and positive. Pupils know who they can talk to if they have a concern and are confident that adults will address any issues quickly and effectively. Bullying and unkind behaviour are rare. Pupils feel safe and supported. During lessons, pupils generally listen carefully to one another, build on each other's ideas and contribute thoughtfully to discussions. Clear routines help pupils stay focused and engage fully in their learning. Staff understand pupils' individual barriers to learning, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They use effective strategies to ensure that pupils are ready to learn and can access learning successfully. Pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom. Recent improvements to the playground provide space and resources for pupils to explore play with their friends. They enjoy den building, playing games and quieter activities. Weekly assemblies celebrate these experiences. They give pupils opportunities to share, reflect on and develop their ideas further. This helps to build pupils' confidence and develop their sense of belonging within the school community.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue their work to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies they put in place for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities so that they can ensure these are revised and adapted to help all pupils make the best possible progress.
• Leaders should continue to prioritise the teaching of handwriting to ensure that pupils develop fluent and consistent handwriting skills over time.
• Leaders should ensure that the small number of pupils who sometimes do not meet the school's high expectations for behaviour during lessons are supported to do so.
• Leaders should continue to ensure that pupils' attainment in mathematics continues to rise and that the improvements made are sustained.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)