Hillmead Primary School
Bishop's Stortford, CM23 4PW · Hertfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
50th of 337 primary schools in Hertfordshire we can score, 398 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 9.2/10 against 3,438 of them, against 8.7/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 77.0 · 82 | 40% | 3.28 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 23.0 · 95 | 25% | 2.37 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Hillmead Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 77.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 23.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the RockSteady club and learn piano, violin, drum, brass, woodwind, guitar, or sing in Young Voices. Both a breakfast club and an after-school club are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 223 pupils against a stated capacity of 240. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who are not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific activities does the RockSteady club involve for different age groups? How does the school manage the transition for children moving from the breakfast club into the main school day?
What Ofsted said about Hillmead Primary School
Overview
Hillmead Primary School continues to be a good school, described as a "nurturing and inclusive" environment where pupils are happy and work hard to meet high expectations. The report highlights that pupils achieve well due to clear teaching and a curriculum that builds effectively on prior knowledge, fostering confident and thoughtful citizens.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious" with leaders setting out important knowledge, ensuring new content builds logically on what pupils already know.
- Reading is taught well across the school, with "targeted support" helping pupils catch up and develop fluency and understanding.
- Teachers adapt the curriculum to meet specific needs, enabling pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to access learning alongside peers and make "significant strides".
- Pupils are "polite and well mannered," showing respect for differences and supporting each other’s achievements.
- Leaders have implemented effective strategies to reduce staff workload and support well-being, while the governing body actively monitors school improvement.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must ensure they set tasks that "precisely match pupils’ needs," as work is sometimes planned to be too easy or too difficult, preventing some pupils from making the progress they should.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 68% |
| 2023/24 | 87% |
| 2024/25 | 77% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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