Bayford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Hertford

In its own words: "We are inspired to be a vibrant, joyful community in which we know and love one another, leading together and growing together by: The motto is a neat and memorable way of summing up the life our vision leads us to live together in school."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome and thank you for your interest in our school! At Bayford we create a caring, family atmosphere under-pinned by our Christian values and guided by our vision for our school community."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care until 5:15pm.

In 2025, 62% of Year 6 pupils at Bayford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 38% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 91% in reading and 82% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 11 families put Bayford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 37 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Bayford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Essendon CofE (VC) Primary School (1.9 miles, Good, 83% reading, 33% maths); Ponsbourne St Mary's Church of England Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 92% reading, 100% maths); Hertingfordbury Cowper Primary School (2.3 miles, Good, 93% reading, 83% maths); and Morgans Primary School & Nursery (2.3 miles, Good, 72% reading, 74% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Bayford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

27 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Bayford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (as of September 2025): 89% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

11.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 6.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (78%) and Mixed (10%).

In 2026, 13 pupils (14.9%) received SEN support and 8 (9.2%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Bayford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 11 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Bayford Rail Station, about 690 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Baker Arms PH (near), 170 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 4 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson and drug offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).

In 2024/25, Bayford Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School issued 1 suspension, 1.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.