Barkway VA Church of England First School
| Type | Primary / Voluntary aided school |
| Age Range | 4-9 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 84 High Street Barkway Hertfordshire SG8 8EF |
| Reference Number | 117422 |
Barkway VA Church of England First School is performing well, showcasing a nurturing and supportive environment for its pupils. The school effectively prioritizes the overall well-being of students, promoting safety and positive behaviours, which contributes to a good standard of education across various domains. Notably, the curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, allowing pupils to learn essential skills while fostering respect and understanding of diverse communities. The school's commitment to working closely with parents and specialists has proven beneficial, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 33 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 60.61%
Girls: 39.39% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 50% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 6.1% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 10.7 |
| Average size of Key Stage 1 classes taught by one teacher | 12 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| 2 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 3 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 4 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 84.8% |
| White, Other | 3% |
| Mixed, Other | 3% |
| Asian, Other | 3% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| > Quality of education | Good |
| > Behaviour & Attitude | Good |
| > Personal Development | Good |
| > Leadership & Management | Good |
| > Early Years Provision | Good |
| Last Report Date | 08 Nov 2023 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 08 Nov 2023 | School inspection: |
| 22 Feb 2018 | Short inspection |
| 13 Mar 2014 | Full inspection: |
| 03 May 2012 | Full inspection: |
| 30 Apr 2009 | Full inspection: |
| 04 May 2006 | Full inspection: |
| 11 Jan 2000 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Warm and welcoming school environment
- Effective support for vulnerable pupils, particularly those with SEND
- Strong focus on reading and phonics leading to rapid progress
- Ambitious and well-organized curriculum
- Positive behaviour and attitudes among pupils
- High levels of staff well-being and support
- Pupils' engagement in diverse cultural and community activities
Areas for Improvement
- Inconsistent use of questioning by some staff affects pupils' understanding
- Governors lack a clear understanding of the curriculum quality in subjects beyond English and mathematics
2025 Admissions
| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 6 | 0 |
| Third Preference | 4 | 0 |
| From another Local Authority | 3 | 1 |
Previous Years
Sample
Unlock| Name | Distance |
|
Reed First School
Jacksons Lane, Reed, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 8AB |
1.41 miles |
|
Barley (VA) Church of England First School
Church End, Barley, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 8JW |
2.08 miles |
|
Anstey First School
Anstey, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0BY |
2.11 miles |
|
Therfield First School
The Causeway, Therfield, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 9PP |
3.18 miles |
|
Studlands Rise First School
Studlands Rise, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 9HB |
3.36 miles |
|
Hormead Church of England (VA) First School
Great Hormead, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0NR |
3.61 miles |
|
Icknield Walk First School
Poplar Drive, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 7EZ |
3.66 miles |
|
St Mary Roman Catholic Primary School
Melbourn Road, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 7DB |
3.77 miles |
|
Layston Church of England First School
The Causeway, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9EU |
3.8 miles |
|
Tannery Drift School
Tannery Drift, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5DE |
3.87 miles |
|
Edwinstree Church of England Middle School
Norfolk Road, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9AW |
3.96 miles |
|
Sandon Junior Mixed and Infant School
Sandon, Nr Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 0QS |
4.03 miles |
|
Millfield First and Nursery School
Monks Walk, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9DT |
4.22 miles |
|
Roman Way Academy
Burns Road, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5EQ |
4.38 miles |
|
Chrishall Holy Trinity and St Nicholas CofE (Aided) Primary School and Pre-School
Palmers Lane, Chrishall, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 8QE |
4.5 miles |
|
Buntingford First School
London Road, Buntingford, SG9 9HZ |
4.57 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Freman College
Bowling Green Lane, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9BT |
3.87 miles |
|
King James Academy Royston
Garden Walk, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 7JH |
3.87 miles |