Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery, Caterham

Ofsted's report card from its 9 June 2026 inspection grades Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery on 7 areas: 6 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "By the end of key stage 2, pupils are generally prepared well for their next stage of education."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a broad and engaging curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise the early years and have a clear vision for high-quality early education."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders' approach to inclusion is rooted in reducing barriers to attendance, belonging and participation."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious and highly determined to provide a culture where pupils achieve success."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a clear plan for pupils' personal development and wellbeing that equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to be ready for their next stage of education."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Leaders have an effective approach to supporting pupils to attend school regularly and punctually."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue their work to support pupils and their families to overcome barriers to attendance in order to raise attendance rates and reduce the number of pupils who are persistently absent from school"; "Leaders should continue their work to strengthen the teaching of early writing so pupils apply this learning across the curriculum".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery. Marden Lodge is a Primary school for children aged 4-11 years of age with a Nursery catering for children from 2 years of age."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include dance and drama.

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 9.15am, an open day on Monday 30 November 2026 at 1.30pm and an open day on Friday 8 January 2027 at 9.15am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 82% of Year 6 pupils at Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery reached the expected standard in reading and 86% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 81% and 79% in Surrey and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 76% in reading and 69% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 10 families put Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery as their first choice and 55 named it as one of their preferences, for 22 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery are St Francis Catholic Primary School (0.6 miles, 89% reading, 85% maths); Audley Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 92% reading, 96% maths); Whyteleafe Primary School (1 mile, Good, 75% reading, 85% maths); and Hillcroft Primary School & Nursery (1 mile, Outstanding, 88% reading, 85% maths).

Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery is one of 43 schools run by GLF Schools, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 64% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

24 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery (as of September 2026): 67% would recommend the school, 75% say their child is happy there and 17% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (75%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (17%).

39.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 53 pupils (24.7%) received SEN support and 12 (5.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Whyteleafe South Rail Station, about 960 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Marden Lodge School (adjacent), 50 metres away.

In 2024/25, Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery issued 43 suspensions, 19.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Marden Lodge Primary School and Nursery are de Stafford School (0.6 miles) and Warlingham School (1.5 miles).