Purwell Primary School
Hitchin, SG4 0PU · Hertfordshire · primary school
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303rd 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.2/10 against 2,502 of them, against 2.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 57.0 · 32 | 62% | 1.98 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 38% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Purwell Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 57.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Beads, Board Games, Chess, Textile, Construction, Cooking, and Arts & Craft clubs, alongside football, cheerleading, cycling, and cricket. An after-school club is also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 129 pupils against a stated capacity of 243. 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 below the expected standard in maths? What specific strategies are used to raise attainment to the higher standard? How does the curriculum balance the wide range of clubs with core academic time?
What Ofsted said about Purwell Primary School
Overview
Pupils are described as happy and safe, with a strong sense of community fostered by ‘The Purwell Way’. The school has made significant progress since its previous inspection, with strategies to raise standards in reading, writing, and mathematics having a positive impact. Leaders and governors work closely to support continued improvement, ensuring pupils are effectively prepared for secondary education.
Strengths
- Pupils are kind, behave well, and are proud of their work, with older pupils actively supporting younger peers.
- The curriculum is “well thought out and ambitious,” with learning steps mapped out in a logical order.
- The reading curriculum is “well established and effective,” with staff expertise refreshed through ongoing training.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive “careful adaptations to the curriculum” and achieve well.
- Governors have successfully raised their level of challenge and support, contributing to the school’s continued improvement.
Areas to improve
- The school should prioritise the ongoing evaluation of curriculum implementation, as occasionally activities are not matched well to pupils’ knowledge, meaning some do not move on quickly enough.
- The school should extend its work to strengthen communications with parents, as some feel contact is too slow and decisions are not clearly explained.
Safeguarding
The report states that “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 | 62% |
| 2023/24 | 70% |
| 2024/25 | 57% |
| 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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