Totternhoe Church of England Academy

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 9 June 2026

Pupils enjoy learning. They try their best and work hard. They value the school’s Christian ethos, which, alongside the staff, encourages kindness and promotes respect for others. As a result, pupils show care in their daily interactions Over time, most pupils learn what they need for their next stage. However, pupils' achievement varies. Leaders’ recent actions have begun to address this. Usually, pupils attend well. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Additionally, these pupils typically make progress from their starting points. This is because staff know pupils well. They identify strengths. Staff spot any challenges pupils may face early. Pupils' behaviour has improved a great deal recently. This is because staff use clear, fair rules consistently. Pupils value this and understand the rules. Children in the early years, typically behave well. More recently established routines mean that children know what staff expect. As a result, they settle more quickly to tasks. Bullying is rare. Staff act quickly when it happens. Staff and pupils have positive relationships. New leaders are developing these quickly. As a result, generally pupils feel safe. Pupils enjoy extra responsibilities. Some older pupils act as school ambassadors. They help others and model positive behaviour. As a result, they help to create a positive school environment. In most classes, pupils take on the role of ‘chief greeter’. In this role, they welcome visitors and explain their learning. This builds their confidence and develops their communication and language skills, including their use of subject vocabulary. Carefully chosen activities and visits build skills, such as teamwork. Pupils look forward to these and enjoy them. These activities create lasting memories. Pupils learn about different cultures and religions. Additionally, across the curriculum pupils learn about diversity, including through reading books that are chosen to highlight difference. Pupils also learn about a variety of various religious festivals.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that staff have secure subject knowledge and teach the full curriculum well, so that all pupils build knowledge accurately and securely over time.
• Leaders need to continue their work to ensure that adult interactions in the early years are purposeful and develop children’s knowledge rapidly.
• Leaders need to ensure that more pupils reach the expected standard by the end of Year 6. They should improve achievement across all year groups, including for pupils who join the school at different times.
• Leaders need to continue to improve communication with parents and carers so that more parents have secure confidence in the leadership of the school.
• Leaders and those responsible for governance need to embed their identified priorities fully and ensure that ongoing actions lead to rapid and sustained improvements in standards.

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