Orford Church of England Primary School and Nursery

About Orford Church of England Primary School and Nursery

Orford Church of England Primary School and Nursery was rated Good overall in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, a rating it has held consistently across both its graded inspections. The inspection report is particularly striking for one area: personal development was judged Outstanding, the highest possible grade. This is a meaningful distinction, as only 14 out of 253 primary schools in Suffolk achieved an Outstanding rating overall, and this school’s strength in personal development suggests a real focus on character and wellbeing. The school is small, with just 47 pupils against a capacity of 105, and it serves a Church of England community in East Suffolk. Matthew Head is the headteacher. The school also includes a nursery provision for children aged two and over, and its religious character is Church of England, with a chapel on site.

Academically, the school’s most informative metric is its Key Stage 2 performance, though the data does not include a specific Progress 8 score or SATs results for this school. However, the local authority average for KS2 attainment in Suffolk is 58, and while Orford’s own figure is not provided, the school’s Good rating for quality of education suggests it meets expected standards. The Ofsted breakdown shows that behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and early years provision were all rated Good, with personal development standing out as Outstanding. The school’s previous inspection in 2013 also awarded a Good overall, indicating sustained quality. With only 29.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school’s intake is slightly above the national average for disadvantage, but the small cohort size means individual pupil progress can be closely monitored.

The school offers a range of facilities including art studios, a library, an ICT suite, music rooms, and a chapel. Sports provision includes football, dance, cricket, tennis, cross country, and rounders, while clubs such as choir, film club, chess, eco club, and art club provide enrichment. SEND support covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. Admissions data for 2025/26 shows the school had 4 total places, received 3 first preference applications, and offered all 3, meaning it was not oversubscribed. This makes it a realistic option for families in the area who want a small, Church of England primary with strong personal development and a Good Ofsted rating, particularly those with children who might benefit from a nurturing, well-supported environment.

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