Clifton-upon-Dunsmore CofE Primary School

About Clifton-upon-Dunsmore CofE Primary School

Clifton-upon-Dunsmore CofE Primary School is a Church of England state primary in the Warwickshire local authority, serving 224 pupils aged 4 to 11 in the Rugby area. It ranks 5th out of 28 primary schools within Rugby itself, placing it in the top 25% of its immediate local tier. The top-performing peers in the wider Warwickshire primary landscape include Mappleborough Green CofE Primary School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School, both with a ranking score of 100, and Barford St Peter's CofE Primary School at 93. While the school's overall Ofsted rating is Good following its most recent inspection in February 2025, the picture is mixed: behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and quality of education were all judged Good, but leadership and management was rated Requires improvement, and early years provision was also Requires improvement. This marks a notable change from its previous inspection in 2015, when the school was rated Outstanding across all areas.

Academically, the school performs well above the Warwickshire local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 74% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the LA average of 62%. Reading is a particular strength: 91% of pupils met the expected standard and 44% achieved a higher standard, with an average scaled score of 109. Maths also performed solidly, with 79% at the expected level and an average score of 105. Writing saw 85% at the expected standard, though only 12% reached the higher standard. Nationally, the school ranks in the top 21% of all primaries for its combined RWM expected score, and in the West Midlands it sits in the top 20%. However, the parent view data reveals some significant concerns: only 65% of respondents would recommend the school, and on the question of whether SEND children receive the support they need, just 31% agreed or strongly agreed, while 69% disagreed or strongly disagreed.

The school is heavily oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, there were 137 applications for 30 places, with 30 first-preference applications and 28 first-preference offers, giving an oversubscription ratio of 4.57. Facilities include a sports hall, music rooms, art studios, a sensory room, a chapel, and playing fields, with a wide range of sports on offer including swimming, tennis, and cricket. Clubs cover coding, chess, choir, and film club, among others. The school has a nursery provision and supports pupils with a range of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Given the mixed parent feedback and the leadership and early years concerns flagged by Ofsted, this school may suit families who prioritise strong academic outcomes in reading and maths and are comfortable with a larger-than-average school community, but who will want to investigate SEND support and leadership stability closely.

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