SchoolScoresWilshere-Dacre Junior Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed
Part of REACH2 ACADEMY TRUST
Fishponds Road, Hitchin, SG5 1NS
01462 459215 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 15 January 2019.
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 | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 11 December 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
108 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Hitchin comparisons use the 13 of its 27 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 14 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 | Hitchin | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 8th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hitchin. Higher than 54% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 96% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 11th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hitchin. Higher than 45% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 4th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hitchin. Higher than 73% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 94% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 26 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 2nd highest of 10 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hitchin. Higher than 57% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 58% | 53% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 88 parents who had raised a concern Joint 3rd highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hitchin. Higher than 86% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 87% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 21 parents of children with SEND Joint 2nd highest of 7 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hitchin. Higher than 77% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 78% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 13 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hitchin. Higher than 72% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96%said yes | 93% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 41%). 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. Hitchin figures pool parents at the Hitchin 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
89 pupils in this year group.
70% — 6 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 70% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 6% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 80% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 75% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 79% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 107 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 13th highest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 33% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.2% | 17.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 83% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.3% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 11th highest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 59% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.6% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 65% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 17.9% | 21.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 18th lowest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 61% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.7% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 20th lowest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 56% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.8% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 19th lowest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 24% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.4 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 20th lowest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 26% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 76% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.9 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 27 state primary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 58% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 26 state primary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 65% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 17.2% | 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
- Samuel Lucas Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oughton Primary and Nursery School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- Strathmore Infant and Nursery School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023
- Highbury Infant School and Nursery 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022
- St Andrew's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed with concerns 2024 · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Our Lady Catholic Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- William Ransom Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Whitehill Junior School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed, may be improving 2023 · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Highover Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ickleford Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy's Ofsted rating?
Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 15 January 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 11 December 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 70% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 8 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy?
96% of the 108 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 140611.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.