Springmead Primary School

Springmead Primary School is performing well, with an overall effectiveness rating of good following its first inspection. The school has a well-structured curriculum that engages pupils and supports their learning effectively. Students demonstrate high levels of enjoyment and understanding in their educational activities, while also exemplifying the school's core values. Although there have been instances of bullying, the school manages these situations effectively, ensuring a safe learning environment. Furthermore, the personal development of pupils is promoted through various initiatives that aid in their growth as responsible members of the school community. Despite these strengths, the inspection revealed that there are areas requiring improvement, particularly in the consistency of teachers' assessments of pupils' knowledge and the effectiveness of catch-up support provided for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Leaders acknowledge these challenges and are working on strategies to enhance the educational experience for all students. Thus, while there are notable strengths, there are also critical areas that need focused attention to ensure every pupil achieves their full potential.

Strengths

• Well-designed curriculum that engages pupils
• Pupils show high levels of enjoyment and understanding
• Strong focus on reading and vocabulary development
• Effective behaviour management and respectful relationships
• Pupils demonstrate responsibility within the school community
• Good preparation of reception children for Year 1

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistent assessment practices leading to knowledge gaps
• Some catch-up support for SEND pupils is insufficient

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 Springmead Primary School attended 96.0% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 9.1% 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, 1.5% of pupils at Springmead Primary 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 Springmead Primary School had 23.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 25.4% 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, 13.7% of pupils at Springmead Primary School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 3.6% 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 Springmead Primary School received £7,705 and spent £7,615 for each of its 263 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £215,000 (£817 per pupil).

Across all 6 schools of Spiral Partnership Trust, income was £7,761 and spending £7,553 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). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Welwyn Garden City · Hertfordshire local authority: places and applications

Springmead Primary School is part of Spiral Partnership Trust, which runs 7 schools. The nearest others:

• Colney Heath Primary School St Albans
• Fleetville Infant and Nursery School St Albans
• Fleetville Junior School St Albans
• Forres Primary Academy Hoddesdon
• Mandeville Primary School St Albans
• Mount Pleasant Lane Primary School St Albans

What is Springmead Primary School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Springmead Primary School is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.

When was Springmead Primary School last inspected by Ofsted?

Springmead Primary School was last inspected in September 2022.

How many pupils does Springmead Primary School have?

Springmead Primary School has 248 pupils on roll.

What age range does Springmead Primary School cover?

Springmead Primary School for pupils aged 3 to 11.

What are Springmead Primary School's SATs (KS2) results?

In 2025, 52% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

Where is Springmead Primary School?

Springmead Primary School is at Hillyfields, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2HB.