SchoolScoresLayston CofE First School
Voluntary controlled school · Primary, ages 5 to 9 · Mixed · Church of England
The Causeway, Buntingford, SG9 9EU
01763 271235 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 31 October 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Inadequate |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
51 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Buntingford comparisons use the 3 of its 5 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 2 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Buntingford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Buntingford. Higher than 41% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 92% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Buntingford. Higher than 39% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Buntingford. Higher than 22% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 89% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 19 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 159th highest of 182 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 13% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 37% | – | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 39 parents who had raised a concern 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Buntingford. Higher than 32% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 72% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Buntingford. Higher than 28% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84%said yes | 83% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Buntingford figures pool parents at the Buntingford schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 9 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 8 |
| Of those, offered a place | 8 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 36 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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.
This is a Church of England school, but as a voluntary controlled school its admissions are set by the council, which usually doesn't prioritise by faith. Check the council's admissions criteria.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 50% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.6% | 17.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 31% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.2% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 73% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.0% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 30% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 21.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Lower than 35% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.6% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Lower than 44% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 12.7% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Lower than 57% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Lower than 48% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 77% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.0 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 5 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 100% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 20.7 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 4 state primary schools in Buntingford. Higher than 96% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 41.5% | 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 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Buntingford First School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 3 expected
- Hormead CofE (VA) First School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Layston CofE First School's Ofsted rating?
Layston CofE First School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 31 October 2023.
Would parents recommend Layston CofE First School?
84% of the 51 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Layston CofE First School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Layston CofE First School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 8 families put Layston CofE First School as their first choice for 9 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 8 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 117390.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.