Ouston Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 June 2026

This is a school where all are welcomed and all are cared for. Any pupils needing extra support receive this. For example, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those in care are very well supported at Ouston. All pupils access an ambitious curriculum that is well taught. Some exciting innovations in how the curriculum is delivered, for example using animation, photography and game design, are of note. Pupils enjoy coming to school. They feel safe. They say that bullying is rare and that unkind words are uncommon. Everyone is welcome here. Classrooms are hives of activity and pupils typically move around the school calmly and with purpose. When some pupils need to be reminded about how to behave, they respond positively to these nudges. There are positive relationships between pupils and staff. Everyone ‘tries their best to achieve success’. Attendance at school is above average. Pupils do well here. Children in the early years develop their skills and understanding well. Pupils develop the basics over time. Pupils do well in handwriting, reading, writing and mathematics, for example. They leave ready for secondary school both academically and socially. They are confident and responsible young people. Personal development is a high priority. Residential trips are an important element of the school calendar. Pupils access rock climbing and raft building. Clubs are aplenty here. They include robotics, dance, choir and a variety of sports. The school council members, ‘waste warriors’ and play leaders are active. All have access to these opportunities. Pupils need to build on their current understanding of different religions and cultures. Leaders have positive relationships with parents and carers. Pupils, staff and parents have positive views of the school. Care and compassion are at the centre of this school, where all children and pupils are known as individuals.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should review the extent to which the personal development programme has a positive impact in all areas. They should make refinements as appropriate, so that pupils develop a greater understanding of the world around them, specifically different religions and cultures.
• Leaders should ensure that the right balance of direct teaching and independent work is in place across classrooms so that pupils deepen their learning and make even more progress in their learning.

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