Marshfield St James VC Primary School and Nursery is much smaller than the average-sized primary school. Almost all pupils are of White British heritage. There is a small group of pupils of Gypsy/Roma heritage. The proportion of pupils joining or leaving the school, other than at the expected points, is higher than is found nationally. At about one in every six, the proportion of disabled pupils and those who have special educational needs is close to the national average. The school does not meet the government’s current floor standards, which are the minimum expectations for pupils’ attainment and progress. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils supported through the pupil premium is about one in every four pupils and is around the national average. This is additional funding for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals and those who are looked after. There are four classes. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, most children of nursery age attend either a morning or an afternoon session, with a few attending full time. Children in the Reception year all attend full time. The school has experienced significant instability in staffing in the last two years, with several periods of extended staff absence. The current headteacher joined the school in September 2013. The senior teacher joined in September 2014.