Widford School

Widford School is currently performing well, building on the strong foundations established during its previous inspection in June 2019. The recent federation with another school has positively impacted pupils' experiences, leading to increased opportunities and resources. Pupils are engaged with a revamped curriculum that emphasizes practical learning and critical thinking, fostering a positive educational environment where they feel supported and proud of each other's achievements. The leadership transition has been managed effectively, and the focus on enhancing language and communication skills has shown noticeable success, especially among pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Strengths

• Pupils enjoy a revamped curriculum that enhances their learning experiences.
• Pupils engage actively in practical elements of their studies.
• The school effectively supports the development of pupils' language and communication skills.
• Increased staffing has improved support for pupils with SEND.
• Strong leadership has successfully managed the transition to a federation.
• Pupils have access to a range of enriching extracurricular activities.

Areas for Improvement

• Attendance strategies are slow to have the desired impact on improving overall attendance.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Widford School attended 93.5% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 15.4% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.0% of pupils at Widford School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Widford School had 20.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 37.8% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 6.2% of pupils at Widford School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 4.6% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Widford School received £10,605 and spent £11,979 for each of its 47 pupils. It ended the year with a deficit of £7,000 (-£156 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in East Hertfordshire · Hertfordshire local authority: places and applications

What is Widford School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Widford School is Good, from an inspection in April 2025.

When was Widford School last inspected by Ofsted?

Widford School was last inspected in April 2025.

How many pupils does Widford School have?

Widford School has 65 pupils on roll.

What age range does Widford School cover?

Widford School for pupils aged 4 to 11.

What are Widford School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 63% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Widford School?

Widford School is at Ware Road, Widford, Widford School, Widford Herts, Hertfordshire, SG12 8RE.