Rampton Primary School, Retford

Ofsted's report card from its 3 February 2026 inspection grades Rampton Primary School on 7 areas: 2 expected standard and 5 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils' attendance is broadly in line with national averages."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's well-considered personal development programme provides meaningful opportunities to prepare pupils for life in modern Britain."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' achievement has declined to below national outcomes when they leave in Year 6."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Across the school, there are inconsistencies in how well staff deliver the curriculum."

Early years - Needs attention. "The quality of teaching in the early years is too variable."

Inclusion - Needs attention. "Leaders identify pupils who have additional needs or barriers to learning when they start school."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Following a turbulent period, leadership of the school is currently in transition."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should maintain a comprehensive understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching to consistently identify the right priorities for sustained school improvement and raising pupils' achievement"; "Leaders should ensure that staff receive focused and high-quality professional development to embed highly effective teaching across the school so that all pupils make sufficient progress across the curriculum"; "Leaders should support staff to strengthen the quality of their interactions with children in the early years so that these consistently build on children's knowledge and extend their learning"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils acquire the foundational knowledge they need in mathematics and writing, including in the early years, and that any gaps in this knowledge are addressed quickly"; "Leaders should strengthen their oversight of inclusion and ensure staff are trained well to fully understand the needs of disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to make consistently suitable curriculum adaptations that enable these pupils to achieve well"; "Governors should ensure that they have secure oversight of the school's work in order to provide appropriate support and challenge".

In its own words: "We are a small, rural school set in the idyllic countryside. Here, you will find a dedicated and talented team of staff who always go the extra mile, hard-working and engaging pupils along with supportive and proud parents, and a committed Governing Body. Together, we make the Rampton Team!"

In 2025, 55% of Year 6 pupils at Rampton Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 36% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Nottinghamshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 67% in reading and 60% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 9 families put Rampton Primary School as their first choice and 16 named it as one of their preferences, for 9 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Rampton Primary School are Dunham-on-Trent CofE Primary School (2.5 miles, Good, 67% reading, 47% maths); Leverton Church of England Academy (2.6 miles, Good, 88% reading, 88% maths); Newton-on-Trent CofE Primary School (3.5 miles, Good, 86% reading, 71% maths); and Sturton CofE Primary School (3.6 miles, Good, 80% reading, 70% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Rampton Primary School.

17 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Rampton Primary School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that their child is happy at the school (100%).

4.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 12 pupils (16.2%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) 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.

Rampton Primary School had 6 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Rampton Primary School.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Primary School (outside), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 23 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, other theft and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Nottinghamshire (101).

In 2024/25, Rampton Primary School issued 1 suspension, 1.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.