St Botolph's Church of England Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 3 February 2026

Pupils benefit from attending this inclusive, nurturing and safe school. Staff know them well and meaningfully enact the school’s motto of ‘new day, endless possibilities’. All pupils are welcome at St Botolph’s Church of England Primary School. Those who join the school at different points in the year are well supported to experience a smooth start. Staff value and respect pupils. Staff support pupils to grow in confidence and independence so they can achieve. Pupils generally follow the high expectations of behaviour that the school has of them. They say that staff manage behaviour fairly. Pupils are well supported to understand and manage their emotions. This helps them to make positive behaviour choices more often. As a result, pupils enjoy a calm and orderly environment and positive relationships with others. Pupils know what bullying is. They know whom to talk to if they have any concerns. However, they say it rarely happens. They know that staff will address any concerns promptly and effectively. Pupils benefit from a range of high-quality pastoral support. Most pupils now attend school regularly. Leaders know that for some pupils, attendance needs to improve. Pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world. They broaden their horizons through the school’s well-planned curriculum and enrichment opportunities. These include residential visits, LEGO club, and a variety of sports and music clubs, as well as opportunities to undertake leadership roles. Pupils learn in purposeful classroom environments. They typically benefit from effective teaching and generally achieve well. Most pupils demonstrate positive attitudes to their learning. They are keen to share what they have learned. Typically, the school ensures that pupils who need additional support get the right help to enable them to achieve. Children in the early years and pupils throughout the school are generally well prepared for their next stage of education.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should work with families to improve pupils’ attendance, so all pupils, especially those who face barriers to their learning, have full access to the curriculum and can achieve higher outcomes.
• Leaders should develop pupils' handwriting. They should ensure sustained high expectations of handwriting in writing across the curriculum.
• Leaders should ensure that teachers, including in the early years, assess all pupils’ learning accurately and identify misconceptions with precision, so that gaps in knowledge and understanding are addressed consistently and effectively.

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