Stafford Junior School

About Stafford Junior School

Stafford Junior School is a state primary for children aged 7 to 11 in Eastbourne, and the experience of families there has clearly shifted in recent years. The school is now oversubscribed, with 364 pupils on roll against a capacity of 360, suggesting strong local demand. This is backed up by a significant turnaround in its Ofsted rating: in its most recent graded inspection in July 2024, the school was rated Good overall, with an Outstanding mark for personal development. That is a notable jump from its previous inspection in January 2020, where it was rated Inadequate across all five categories. While the Department for Education does not publish a parent view score for this school, the combination of oversubscription and the rapid improvement in its Ofsted profile points to a school that has rebuilt trust and is now firmly on the radar of Eastbourne families.

Academically, Stafford Junior School is performing solidly against local benchmarks. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 61% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is just above the East Sussex local authority average of 59%. The school ranks 2nd out of 10 primary schools in the Eastbourne area on this measure, placing it in the top 20% locally. Looking at individual subjects, reading and writing are particular strengths: 78% of pupils met the expected standard in reading and 85% in writing, while maths sits at 66%. Higher-attaining pupils are less common here, with only 9% achieving the higher standard across all three subjects, compared with 24% reaching that level in reading alone. The school’s national ranking places it in the 55th percentile, meaning it sits just above the middle of the pack across England.

The school offers a practical, well-resourced environment for its pupils. Facilities include an art studio, playing fields, a gymnasium, a forest school area and a chapel, and the sports programme covers tennis, gymnastics, swimming and athletics. There is a strong extracurricular offer too, with clubs ranging from eco club and chess to coding, film club and science club. For families with children who have additional needs, Stafford Junior School has a broad range of SEND provisions on paper, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, dyslexia, hearing impairment and social, emotional and mental health needs. Given its oversubscription, families considering this school should be aware that places are in high demand. It is a good fit for parents who want a primary with strong pastoral care and a clear focus on personal development, set in a school that has demonstrably turned itself around.

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