Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School
Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3JP · Hertfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
28th 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 — 9.3/10 against 2,458 of them, against 8.4/10 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 | 80.0 · 88 | 62% | 5.39 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 38% | 2.98 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 80.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 13.0% against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in paddleboarding, rock climbing, archery, rifle shooting, kayaking, and abseiling. They also perform with Young Voices and visit sites including Whipsnade Zoo, London Zoo, and Verulamium Museum.
Getting in
The published school roll is 418 pupils against a stated capacity of 450. 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 in transitioning from nursery to primary? What specific support is available for children who need extra help with reading? How are the outdoor sports activities scheduled within the weekly timetable?
What Ofsted said about Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School
Overview
Pupils are described as “very proud to be part of this school,” demonstrating a “deep understanding of kindness, respect and ambition.” The inspection highlights a “bespoke, ambitious curriculum” that is “well thought out and carefully sequenced,” resulting in pupils who are “happy and safe” and typically achieve well.
Strengths
- Early years provision is “Outstanding,” with children getting off to a “flying start” and being “exceptionally well prepared for Year 1.”
- Reading is taught “exceptionally well,” with staff having the expertise to identify gaps and provide “high-quality interventions” so pupils “catch up quickly.”
- Personal development is “Outstanding,” supported by an “exemplary” mentoring programme where older pupils help younger ones.
- Staff are “highly knowledgeable” about pupils’ progress, enabling them to provide “extra support through high-quality interactions.”
- Attendance has shown a “demonstrable improvement,” particularly for disadvantaged pupils, due to new systems and effective parental support.
Areas to improve
- The school must address “gaps in pupils’ knowledge in some foundation subjects” among older pupils, which stem from a “previously less well-developed curriculum.”
- Staff should ensure they “identify and address gaps” so pupils have “secure foundations on which to build new learning” across the full range of subjects.
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 | 32% |
| 2023/24 | 35% |
| 2024/25 | 80% |
| 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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