SchoolScoresBuntingford First School
Free school · Primary, ages 2 to 9 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
London Road, Buntingford, SG9 9HZ
01763 290350 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 19 May 2026 , published 28 June 2026.
In short: 4 strong, 3 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Early yearsNursery and reception classes. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
No test or exam results have been published for this school yet.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Hertfordshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 47 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 46 |
| Of those, offered a place | 46 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 90 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 53% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 23.1% | 17.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 69% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.1% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 41% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.0% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 13% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 21.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Lower than 3% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.2% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Lower than 9% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 22.4% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Lower than 16% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 4.9 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Lower than 25% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 57% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.2 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 44% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.4 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 4 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 59% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 15.2% | 15.7%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Millfield First and Nursery School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Layston CofE First School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023)
- Hormead CofE (VA) First School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Jenyns First School and Nursery 2.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Buntingford First School's Ofsted rating?
Buntingford First School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 19 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 4 strong, 3 expected, and safeguarding was met.
Is Buntingford First School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 46 families put Buntingford First School as their first choice for 47 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 46 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 149748.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.