Crofton Junior School Orpington rated outstanding by Ofsted

Crofton Junior School, based in Towncourt Lane, was last inspected on July 2 and 3, 2024.

The report was then published on September 16, 2024.

Inspectors praised the school for being a place where pupils receive “an exceptional education”.

Despite this being a “large” primary school, pupils and staff still known each other well.

Pupils are “confident” to tell staff about any worries they have and trust that their worries will be dealt with “swiftly”.

As a result, children “feel safe and are kept safe” at Crofton Junior School.

Ofsted found that expectations are high for pupils at this school, and they study a “broad range” of subjects and “achieve very well”.

Crofton Junior School rated outstanding by Ofsted (Image: Crofton Junior School)

Inspectors found pupils to be “highly motivated” and able to learn to study with “increasing independence” as they move up the school.

It is noted in the report that this includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Ofsted found that pupils are “proud to be purple” which means embodying the Crofton Junior School values – creative, resilient, open-minded, friendly, tolerant, optimistic and neighbourly.

Pupils showed Ofsted that they display these values in lessons, around the building and in the playground.

Inspectors described pupil’s wider development as “exemplary”.

An enrichment programme the school has identifies 51 things children should do before leaving the school, with examples being: Staying away from home, seeing an orchestra and toasting a marshmallow.

Through these experiences, Ofsted believes that pupil’s “cultural capital is further enhanced”.

The school also has a “flourishing learning environment” with an outdoor garden and a “forest school” where pupils learn to grow fruit and vegetables and care for plants and wildlife.

Staff told inspectors that they are “proud to be part of the team” at this school.

Ofsted recognised the way that the Crofton Junior School develops pupils’ character as “exceptional”, with pupils taking on extra responsibilities to make “a positive contribution to their community”.

Behaviour was found to be a “strength” and assemblies are used as a time to “reinforce expectations of what it means to behave well”.

At Crofton Park School, Ofsted found that staff share an ambition to develop pupils into “competent, confident and motivated readers”, with staff being experts as a result of “frequent training and coaching”.

They are “well-trained” and value the “detailed support and guidance” that the school makes available to them.

Susie Sargent, headteacher of the school, said: "We are extremely proud of our pupils at Crofton; they live our school values, caring about each other and the community, as well as being enthusiastic learners. 

"We aspire to provide our pupils with a wide range of experiences to nurture their talents, enabling them to prepare for a successful future. 

"We are delighted to receive another outstanding judgement from Ofsted and incredibly ‘Proud to be Purple’. "