Nuthurst primary school bucks the trend

At a time of low birth rate and falling school rolls, where some schools have even faced closure, St Andrew’s Primary in Nuthurst has headed in the opposite direction, growing from strength to strength.

Wind back a few years and the school was struggling financially; under pressure from the local authority to reduce to four classes to make ends meet.  Now it has seven – one for each year group – while retaining its nurturing, close-knit community appeal.

This is especially remarkable given its location.  Nuthurst is a hamlet five minutes south of Horsham; only two of its 175 children come from Nuthurst, and two thirds of the children come from beyond the parish.

Headteacher Nathan Golbey puts this down to a number of things, but is clear where it all starts.  “The ethos of our school is its biggest strength, and relationships are at its heart.  Our Golden Values - Kindness, Respect, Perseverance and Honesty - permeates through all we do, and it gets the best out of children and staff.  Everyone in the school community being on same page with how to treat one another is the absolute starting point for highly effective teaching and learning – and of course makes it so much easier.  Add to that a relentless focus on improving outcomes for all children, and you have a winning formula.”

Ofsted have certainly agreed when they have visited the school over recent years, describing the school’s provision for pupils’ personal development as ‘exceptional’, the children’s behaviour as ‘impeccable’, and their approach to the academic as ‘ambitious for all pupils’.

Nathan says the best way to get a feel for a school is to pay a visit.  “Whilst they may all be delivering a similar curriculum, and Ofsted reporting similar things, schools differ far more than most people think, due to the people and culture in it.  We are a five-minute drive south of Horsham, so come and see what is unique about a thriving small school.”