Rolvenden Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 26 June 2024

Pupils are surrounded with care and kindness at this small, friendly school. The school's motto, 'Small school - Big difference', captures their experiences here. Pupils enjoy playing and learning together. They have positive relationships with staff and each other. They trust in adults to keep them safe and to resolve any fallings-out, which are rare. The school is calm and well ordered. Pupils know that they are expected to work hard and behave well. They take pride in their achievements. At playtimes, pupils get along well, whether involved in skipping challenges, enjoying the wooded area or active in ball games. They encourage each other, and shouts of 'Well done,' or 'Good pass,' are commonplace. Pupils are proud of their roles in the wider life of the school. Some of these, such as head boy and head girl, have been secured following speeches and a voting process, giving pupils an experience of democratic elections. Parents are very positive about the school. They describe how it has a 'family feel'. A parent summed up the views of many in describing it as 'giving the children confidence to grow and become kind young adults by the time they leave'.

What the school should improve

• The school has not yet fully considered some aspects of the knowledge and skills children need to learn in readiness for key stage 1. Consequently, children moving into Year 1 do not always have the prior learning they need. The school should continue to implement its plans to make further improvements to the early years curriculum.

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