St John's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, Lemsford
Welwyn Garden City, AL8 7TR · Hertfordshire · primary school
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187th 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 the 3,837 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.3/10 among them, against 4.9/10 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 | 62.0 · 44 | 40% | 1.74 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St John's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, Lemsford overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 62.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the school recorded 8.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.3 out of 10 among them, against 4.9 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 102 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 to bridge the gap between the expected and higher standards? What specific activities take place during the breakfast and after-school clubs? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St John's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, Lemsford
Overview
St John’s Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School continues to be a "good school," characterised by "secure and warm relationships" between staff and pupils. The report highlights a "happy and friendly" environment where pupils feel valued, safe, and well-prepared for their next educational stage.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate "self-confidence" and "kind and caring" attitudes, with bullying being "infrequent".
- Leaders have planned a "logical curriculum" and teachers possess "secure subject knowledge", ensuring pupils understand tasks and address misconceptions immediately.
- Children in the early years receive a "good start" with "ambitious" staff who effectively develop language and independence.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "well supported" by skilled adults, allowing them to access the same curriculum as their peers.
- The new leadership team has built "positive relationships" with stakeholders, and parents are "overwhelmingly positive" about school leaders.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, the curriculum lacks sufficient development to link current learning with past knowledge or provide consistent challenge, meaning pupils sometimes practise skills they are already proficient in.
- Reading approaches are not consistently applied across all classes; leaders must ensure all teachers use the programme in the same way so all pupils embed knowledge equally.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective", with robust safer recruitment procedures and staff trained to recognise signs of harm and help pupils communicate their worries.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 62% |
| 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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