‘Best of both worlds’: Ofsted highlights success of small Northamptonshire primary school
A Northamptonshire school is celebrating after inspectors praised its “deeply inclusive ethos” and described the school as a place that “feels like home for pupils” in its latest Ofsted report.
Tiffield CEVA Primary School is one of the smallest schools in Northamptonshire, with just two classes, but achieved the expected standard across all seven inspection categories following a two-day visit in March.
Inspectors spent time speaking with pupils, parents, staff and leaders, and highlighted the school’s welcoming and caring atmosphere throughout the report.
Ofsted stated: “Every pupil feels welcomed and included at Tiffield. They feel everyone knows them well, like being in a family.”
The report also praised pupils’ behaviour and attitudes to learning, adding: “Pupils behave well, consistently following the school’s routines and expectations. They develop enthusiastic and responsible attitudes towards their learning.”
School leaders said they were particularly proud that inspectors recognised the benefits of being part of the Forest Federation, a group of five small schools working together to provide wider opportunities for pupils.
The report noted that federation pupils benefit from “the advantages of a larger school community, while retaining the strengths of their smaller setting”.
Tiffield pupils have taken part in activities including The Big Sing at the Royal & Derngate, alongside a range of visits and extracurricular clubs designed to spark children’s interests and enrich learning.
Inspectors also praised the school’s “engaging, broad and ambitious” curriculum and highlighted strong SATs results in 2024-25, with the school reporting 90 percent across all tests.
Executive headteacher Mrs Hollis said the report reflected the school community’s shared commitment to supporting every child.
She said: “The inspectors’ recognition of our ‘deeply inclusive ethos’ and the comment that ‘in some ways, school feels like home for pupils’ captures exactly what we strive to create.
“As a very small school, relationships are at the heart of everything we do.”
Mrs Hollis also thanked staff, governors, parents and pupils for their support, adding that the school would continue building on its successes to ensure children “flourish both academically and personally”.