Ashdown Primary School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school The dynamic executive headteacher has a clear vision for the school. She is well supported by a conscientious senior leadership team. Staff are united in upholding the school's aims.

After a period of staffing turbulence, the school is now on a strong footing to improve even further. Governors are well able to support and challenge the school. They have an in-depth understanding of the school's strengths and weaknesses.

Provision in the early years is good. Children make strong progress from their starting points. A higher proportion than found nationally reach a good level of development.

Children are well prepared for their lea...rning in Year 1. Parents hold the school in high regard, as they say that their children receive a good quality of education. Almost all would recommend the school to another parent.

Pupils make strong progress. In 2017 they achieved above the national average in both key stage 1 and key stage 2. The quality of teaching is good.

It is well planned and builds on pupils' prior learning. Assessment systems have recently changed. Staff are now accurate in assessing where pupils are in their learning.

Teachers are focused on meeting pupils' next step in learning. Pupils are polite and well behaved. The school supports pupils' personal development well.

Relationships between staff and pupils are strong. The curriculum is vibrant and engaging. Pupils enjoy many experiences in art, sports and history and drama.

Teachers do not have high enough expectations for most able pupils. They do not provide them with enough challenging work. Middle leaders do not make full use of school performance information to ensure that pupils make the best possible progress.

Information about this school

Ashdown Primary School is larger than average-sized primary school. A smaller proportion of pupils, when compared to the national average, are eligible for the pupil premium. The proportion of pupils who have SEN and/or disabilities is below the national average.

The school meets the government's floor standards, which set the minimum expectation for pupils' attainment and progress in reading, writing and mathematics by the end of Year 6. In September 2015 Whitehill Infant School and Herne Junior School amalgamated to form Ashdown Primary School. The schools were last inspected by Ofsted in 2013, when Whitehill Infant School was judged to be good and Herne Junior School was judged to require improvement.

The school is based on two sites. The infant site is situated at Luxford Road and the junior site is at Herne Road. The school is led by an executive headteacher, who was appointed in September 2015.

Each site is managed by a head of school. The school has been through a significant period of staffing turbulence. A third of the staff are new this academic year.

Also at this postcode