Rotherfield Primary School

About Rotherfield Primary School

Rotherfield Primary School sits comfortably above the East Sussex average for Key Stage 2 outcomes, with 68% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the local authority average of 59%. That nine-point gap is a meaningful one, and it places the school in the top half of primary schools across the county — 33rd out of 144. The school’s own ranking system puts it in the top 50 nationally for this metric, and within the Wealden district it ranks 12th out of 48. So while it’s not the highest-performing primary in the area, it’s clearly delivering results that outpace most of its neighbours. The headteacher, Kate Bishop, leads a school of 204 pupils, very close to its capacity of 210, which suggests it’s a popular choice locally.

Looking more closely at the 2023/24 SATs results, the strongest individual subject is reading, where the average scaled score is 106 and 29% of pupils achieved the higher standard. Writing sees 81% of children meeting the expected level, with 13% reaching the higher threshold. Maths is a little more mixed: 77% hit the expected standard, and 16% achieved the higher mark, with an average score of 103. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in January 2023, confirmed that it remains Good overall, a rating it has held since at least its previous graded inspection in 2012. Leadership and management were also judged Good. The 2008 inspection had rated early years provision as Requires Improvement, but that area has clearly been addressed since. There’s no Progress 8 data available for primary schools, but the attainment figures alone paint a picture of solid, above-average performance.

The school is oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, there were 83 applications for 30 places, with 29 of those going to first-preference families. That’s a ratio of nearly three applicants per place, so it’s worth getting your application in early. Facilities include a library, playing fields, a gymnasium, art studios, a sensory room, a sports hall and even a chapel. Sports on offer include gymnastics, netball, tennis, athletics and rounders, while clubs range from eco club and drama to choir and chess. The school’s SEND register covers moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, autistic spectrum disorder and other difficulties or disabilities. There’s no nursery or sixth form, and it’s a non-denominational state primary. For families in Wealden who want a well-performing, community-focused primary with strong core results and a good range of enrichment, Rotherfield is a solid bet.

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