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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Requires improvementURN 117390

Layston Church of England First School

Voluntary controlled school · Buntingford · SG9 9EU

Ages 5–9 · 124 pupils · Hertfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Overall absence

7.3%

Admissions demand

0.96 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Requires improvement

Inspection date

2023-10-31

Overall effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of education
Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Requires improvement
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.3%
Persistent absence (10%+)17.6%
Unauthorised2.2%
Authorised absence
5.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.8%
Enrolments in measure
119

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.96 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

27

Places offered

29

1st-preference offers

27

Total preferences (any rank)
77
Preferred offers (top 3)
28
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill83%

124 pupils · 150 places

Pupils on roll
124
Boys / girls
60 / 64
School capacity
150
Capacity fill
124 / 150 (83%)
Free school meals
21.8%
FSM pupils
27
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary controlled school

Age range

Ages 5–9

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of St Albans
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Voluntary controlled school
Headteacher
Mrs Adele McMurrough

Location

Address
The Causeway
Postcode
SG9 9EU
Town
Buntingford
County
Hertfordshire
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
East Hertfordshire
Constituency
North East Hertfordshire
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed voluntary controlled school (primary), Ages 5–9, in Buntingford, Hertfordshire, 124 pupils on roll. Free school meals: 21.8%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of St Albans.

Open schools in Buntingford
7
Primary schools in Buntingford
5
Academies among open schools in Buntingford
14% (1)
Open schools in SG9
9
Primary in SG9
7
Open schools in Hertfordshire LA
591
Primary in Hertfordshire LA
401

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in BuntingfordNear SG9

  • Millfield First and Nursery School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Buntingford · SG9 9DT · Hertfordshire

    Ages 3–9

    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM8.8%
    • Demand1.00

    0.5 miles away

  • Buntingford First School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Free schools · Primary

    Buntingford · SG9 9HZ · Hertfordshire

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM18.1%
    • Demand0.94

    0.9 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Adele McMurrough
Telephone
01763271235
Website
www.layston.herts.sch.uk/

Official links