Marden Lodge praised by Ofsted for their "clear vision for high-quality early education"

Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery has been praised by Ofsted in a new inspection report.

The school, based in Caterham, has been praised for the strength of its curriculum, its early years provision and its support for pupils with additional needs, following an inspection last month.

Under the new framework, schools are assessed against a series of individual areas rather than a single overall grade. Marden Lodge met the ‘expected standard’, the level at which schools are judged to be performing well across achievement, curriculum and teaching, early years, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. 

Pupil behaviour at the school was praised by Ofsted, with inspectors saying: “Behaviour across the school is calm and focused. As a result of the school's firm focus on behaviour, pupils demonstrate positive attitudes towards their learning.”

Ofsted also highlighted how children successfully learn over time at Marden, saying that “Leaders have developed a broad and engaging curriculum. This is well planned and sequenced to help pupils build the essential knowledge they need.” Inspectors also confirmed that the school's safeguarding standards are met, with leaders described as having established an open culture in which concerns are identified and acted upon.

Inspectors found that pupils are well known and nurtured by staff, and that they build knowledge and skills successfully over time from their individual starting points, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The report praised the school's early years provision, noting that children settle quickly and benefit from warm relationships with staff, with particular strength in supporting speech, language and communication.

Leaders' approach to inclusion was also highlighted, with pupils' needs identified early and supported through targeted provision including the school's internal provision, "The Nest".

Inspectors also recognised leaders' ambition and the pace of improvement since the last inspection, noting that leaders have quickly built strong relationships with the school community and secured funding to improve outdoor learning areas for pupils.

Ofsted noted that work to improve attendance continues, alongside further strengthening of early writing teaching so pupils can apply it more confidently across the curriculum.

Headteacher Sarah Rumbol said: "I'm incredibly proud of what this report reflects about our school community. Our staff know every child as an individual, and that shows through in how well our pupils are supported, particularly those with additional needs. We've been open with inspectors about the areas we're already working hard on, including attendance, and it's encouraging to have that focus recognised alongside so much that's going well."