Rolph Church of England Primary School and Nursery, Clacton-on-Sea

Ofsted's report card from its 9 September 2026 inspection grades Rolph Church of England 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.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have established clear expectations for behaviour through the ‘3 Bs' of 'Be kind, Be safe and Be responsible'."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the effectiveness of the curriculum and teaching."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a positive, settled start in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have strengthened the school's approach to identifying, assessing and meeting pupils' needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have taken prompt action to address underperformance."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders give pupils' personal development and wellbeing a high priority."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Published outcomes in national tests and assessments show that pupils' attainment and progress have been inconsistent and, over time, are below national averages."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that pupils continue to secure the foundational knowledge and skills in English and mathematics needed to raise attainment across the school"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers implement the refreshed curriculum consistently well, making effective decisions about what is taught and when"; "Leaders should continue to strengthen the culture of professional learning to improve the effectiveness of teaching further"; "Leaders should continue to apply and refine their strategies to promote high attendance, reduce persistent absence and address barriers to attendance".

In 2025, 58% of Year 6 pupils at Rolph Church of England Primary School and Nursery reached the expected standard in reading and 39% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 76% in Essex and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 59% in reading and 59% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 23 families put Rolph Church of England Primary School and Nursery as their first choice and 41 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 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 Rolph Church of England Primary School and Nursery are Weeley St Andrew's CofE Primary School (2 miles, Good, 52% reading, 35% maths); Engaines Primary School and Nursery (2.5 miles, Good, 82% reading, 77% maths); Tendring Primary School (2.6 miles, Good, 76% reading, 79% maths); and Kirby Primary Academy (2.6 miles, Good, 80% reading, 73% maths).

Rolph Church of England Primary School and Nursery's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Rolph Church of England Primary School and Nursery is one of 21 schools run by The Diocese of Chelmsford Vine Schools Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 49% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

13.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (86%) and Mixed (8%).

In 2026, 42 pupils (18.2%) received SEN support and 4 (1.7%) 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 Thorpe-le-Soken Rail Station, about 1060 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Mill Lane (opposite), 50 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 9 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime and drug offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Essex (97).

In 2024/25, Rolph Church of England Primary School and Nursery issued 5 suspensions, 2.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.