The Croft Primary School, Rugeley

Ofsted's report card from its 16 June 2026 inspection grades The Croft Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 5 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.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have a clear and extensive personal development programme in place."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils typically achieve well as they move through the school."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance across the school is high."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years learn in a safe and inclusive environment."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive culture where all pupils feel valued and welcome."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know their school, pupils and community well."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders implement a well-sequenced curriculum that sets out the knowledge and skills pupils need to be ready for their next stage of education."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff use their checks of pupils' learning to improve and address any misconceptions pupils have in writing, particularly in spelling and grammar"; "Leaders should further develop how adults support and extend children's play in the early years, making the most of every opportunity for learning and developing their speech, language and vocabulary"; "Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is taught consistently well in all subjects and year groups, and that all teachers have high expectations, so that all pupils achieve as well as they can".

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball and art.

In 2025, 86% of Year 6 pupils at The Croft Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 83% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 77% in Staffordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 75% in reading and 75% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 12 families put The Croft Primary School as their first choice and 33 named it as one of their preferences, for 12 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 The Croft Primary School are Henry Chadwick Primary School (1 mile, Good, 73% reading, 73% maths); Hayes Meadow Primary School (1 mile, Good, 60% reading, 47% maths); St James Church of England Primary Academy (1 mile, Good, 91% reading, 64% maths); and Hob Hill CE/Methodist (VC) Primary School (1.2 miles, Good, 74% reading, 76% maths).

The Croft Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

13.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 5.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 32 pupils (19.4%) received SEN support and 4 (2.4%) 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 Rugeley Town Rail Station, about 2.3 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Croft Primary School (adjacent), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 37 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, public order offences and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Staffordshire (86).

The Croft Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.