St Nicholas CofE (VA) Primary School and Nursery
Stevenage, SG2 0PZ · Hertfordshire · primary school
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337th 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 — 0.2/10 against 3,510 of them, against 0.6/10 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 | 31.0 · 3 | 62% | 0.20 |
| 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.
St Nicholas CofE (VA) Primary School and Nursery overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 31.0% 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 (0.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 186 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 below the expected standard in literacy and numeracy? What specific strategies are used to help students progress towards the higher standard? How does the school monitor individual pupil progress throughout the year?
What Ofsted said about St Nicholas CofE (VA) Primary School and Nursery
Overview
Pupils feel safe and well cared for, with differences meaningfully celebrated and a strong sense of welcome. While early years provision is effective and reading is a strength, the quality of education requires improvement because too many pupils are not academically ready for secondary school.
Strengths
- Early years classes are "calm and purposeful," with staff skilfully developing children’s language skills in a "well-resourced environment."
- The early reading curriculum is a strength, with staff delivering the phonics programme "precisely" so pupils learn letter sounds quickly.
- Behaviour is good; classrooms are "typically calm and orderly," and trained pupil ‘peer mediators’ help resolve minor fallouts.
- Personal development is good, with pupils being "highly respectful of different cultures and beliefs" and well prepared for life in modern Britain.
- Attendance has improved significantly, with "strong systems to monitor and improve attendance" now working well.
Areas to improve
- Teaching beyond early years is not routinely adapted to meet the needs of all pupils, meaning some struggle to understand learning while others are not moved on quickly enough.
- Lesson activities are not always aligned to the core knowledge pupils need to learn, resulting in some pupils not developing "secure knowledge."
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 | 33% |
| 2023/24 | 33% |
| 2024/25 | 31% |
| 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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