Ninfield Church of England Primary School, located in East Sussex, underwent an inspection on June 21 and 22, 2022. The overall effectiveness of the school was rated as inadequate, with specific areas of concern highlighted. The quality of education was deemed to require improvement, while behavior and attitudes, as well as personal development, were rated as good. However, leadership and management were found to be inadequate, despite the early years provision receiving a good rating. This marked a significant decline from the previous inspection, which had rated the school as good.
Pupils at Ninfield Primary School express a strong sense of acceptance and kindness towards one another, learning to respect differences from an early age through a healthy living curriculum. The school promotes the development of life skills necessary for pupils to become safe and responsible citizens. Initiatives such as the Pupil Well-being Warriors, who patrol the playground to ensure no child feels alone, reflect the school’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment.
In terms of academic performance, pupils quickly learn to read and receive additional support when needed. They engage with a diverse selection of books curated by school leaders. The mathematics curriculum is well-structured, enabling pupils to develop problem-solving skills effectively. However, gaps in the curriculum were noted in other subjects, leading to missed key areas of learning.
While pupils reported that bullying is rare and trust the adults in the school to address their concerns, the inspection revealed significant shortcomings in safeguarding practices. Leaders were criticized for not managing safeguarding concerns adequately, which poses potential risks to pupils.
The school has made strides in subjects like mathematics and reading, with leaders setting ambitious goals for what pupils should learn. However, in subjects such as history, geography, and science, the curriculum lacks coherence, resulting in some pupils missing out on essential knowledge. Leaders acknowledge that the current curriculum limits learning experiences but have not taken sufficient action to rectify this.
Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is generally appropriate, with leaders quickly identifying their needs and working with parents to create tailored support plans. However, adaptations to the curriculum beyond mathematics and reading are insufficient, hindering progress in other subjects.
The early years provision is a strength of the school, with engaging learning experiences that promote curiosity and exploration. Staff effectively utilize well-chosen books to create thematic learning journeys.
Despite the active interest of governors in the school, they have failed to identify critical lapses in safeguarding processes. The inspection highlighted that leaders and governors do not fulfill their statutory duties regarding safeguarding, which is a significant concern.
The safeguarding arrangements were found to be ineffective, with inadequate record-keeping and communication with external agencies. This lack of vigilance puts pupils at risk, as concerns raised are not always acted upon promptly.
To improve, leaders must establish detailed records of safeguarding concerns and ensure compliance with statutory requirements. Governors need to enhance their oversight of safeguarding processes to protect pupils effectively. Additionally, leaders must ensure that all staff receive comprehensive training on safeguarding to foster a culture of vigilance.
Overall, while Ninfield Church of England Primary School has strengths in pupil well-being and early years provision, significant improvements are needed in leadership, safeguarding, and curriculum coherence to ensure the safety and educational success of all pupils.
