Layston Church of England First School
| Type | Primary / Voluntary controlled school |
| Age Range | 5-9 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | The Causeway Buntingford Hertfordshire SG9 9EU |
| Reference Number | 117390 |
Layston Church of England First School is currently rated as requiring improvement, marking a significant change from its previous outstanding inspection. The school has faced challenges with recent leadership and staff changes, which have had an impact on the effectiveness of curriculum implementation. While behaviours and attitudes at the school are noted as good and pupils show positive relationships with adults, the early years provision has been judged inadequate. This has resulted in many children not being adequately prepared for Year 1, leading to difficulties in their subsequent educational journey.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 139 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 42.45%
Girls: 57.55% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 21.6% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 4.3% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 28.3 |
| Average size of Key Stage 1 classes taught by one teacher | 28.5 |
| Average size of Key Stage 2 classes taught by one teacher | 28 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | 17 | 30 |
| 2 | 9 | 17 | 26 |
| 3 | 10 | 17 | 27 |
| 4 | 12 | 17 | 29 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 89.2% |
| African | 2.2% |
| Mixed, Other | 2.2% |
| White, Other | 1.4% |
| Unclassified | 1.4% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 0.7% |
| Irish | 0.7% |
| Pakistani | 0.7% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Requires Improvement |
| > Quality of education | Requires Improvement |
| > Behaviour & Attitude | Good |
| > Personal Development | Good |
| > Leadership & Management | Requires Improvement |
| > Early Years Provision | Inadequate |
| Last Report Date | 31 Oct 2023 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 31 Oct 2023 | School inspection: |
| 04 Jun 2009 | Full inspection: |
| 18 May 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 15 May 2000 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Pupils have strong relationships with adults, helping them feel settled and safe.
- Pupils display positive attitudes to learning and most classrooms are calm and orderly.
- Pupils demonstrate understanding of safety and healthy lifestyles.
- The personal development program effectively prepares pupils for life in modern Britain.
- Pupils with SEND are generally well supported and can access the full curriculum.
Areas for Improvement
- The early years curriculum is not implemented effectively, leading to significant gaps in children's knowledge.
- Inconsistencies in curriculum planning and assessment in foundation subjects.
- Some pupils who fall behind in reading do not catch up quickly enough.
- Lack of rigorous accountability from the governing body.
- Staff and parental concerns about behaviour management and understanding the chosen approach.
2025 Admissions
| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 22 | 0 |
| Third Preference | 16 | 0 |
| From another Local Authority | 0 | 0 |
Previous Years
Sample
Unlock| Name | Distance |
|
Edwinstree Church of England Middle School
Norfolk Road, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9AW |
0.41 miles |
|
Millfield First and Nursery School
Monks Walk, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9DT |
0.45 miles |
|
Buntingford First School
London Road, Buntingford, SG9 9HZ |
0.89 miles |
|
Hormead Church of England (VA) First School
Great Hormead, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0NR |
2 miles |
|
Anstey First School
Anstey, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0BY |
3.08 miles |
|
Jenyns First School and Nursery
Uplands, Braughing, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG11 2QJ |
3.51 miles |
|
Barkway VA Church of England First School
84 High Street, Barkway, Hertfordshire, SG8 8EF |
3.8 miles |
|
Ardeley St Lawrence Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
School Lane, Ardeley, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 7AJ |
3.88 miles |
|
Sandon Junior Mixed and Infant School
Sandon, Nr Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0QS |
4.03 miles |
|
Reed First School
Jacksons Lane, Reed, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 8AB |
4.15 miles |
|
St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
High Street, Puckeridge, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG11 1RZ |
4.26 miles |
|
Furneux Pelham Church of England School
Furneux Pelham School, Furneux Pelham, Hertfordshire, SG9 0LH |
4.28 miles |
|
Ralph Sadleir School
Station Road, Puckeridge, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG11 1TF |
4.47 miles |
|
Roger De Clare First CofE School
Station Road, Puckeridge, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG11 1TF |
4.51 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Freman College
Bowling Green Lane, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9BT |
0.59 miles |
|
St Edmund's College
Old Hall Green, Ware, SG11 1DS |
4.75 miles |