Buntingford First School, Buntingford

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades Buntingford First School on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Strong standard. "The provision in the school's Nursery and Reception classes is a real strength."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "The success of the school's approach to inclusion stems from the detailed knowledge and understanding staff have about pupils' needs and aspirations."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Inclusion has been at the heart of the school's work since it opened in September 2023."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The personal development programme is the important thread that runs through school life."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well from their varied starting points."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "A number of pupils arrive at the school with significant barriers to regular attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The ambitious school curriculum covers a range of subjects, including education for social responsibility."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that highly effective teaching is embedded consistently throughout the school so pupils can further deepen their knowledge of important content"; "Leaders should continue to embed and refine their effective attendance strategies to support all pupils to attend well".

For September 2026 entry, 46 families put Buntingford First School as their first choice and 90 named it as one of their preferences, for 47 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Buntingford First School are Millfield First and Nursery School (0.7 miles, Good); Layston Church of England First School (0.9 miles, Requires improvement); Hormead Church of England (VA) First School (2 miles, Good); and Jenyns First School and Nursery (2.7 miles, Outstanding).

Buntingford First School is one of 13 schools run by Scholars' Education Trust, an academy trust.

3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (89%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 22 pupils (13.3%) received SEN support and 5 (3%) 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.

Buntingford First School had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Buntingford First School.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Stearn Way (near), 170 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 38 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).

In 2024/25, Buntingford First School issued 6 suspensions, 4.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Buntingford First School are Edwinstree Church of England Middle School (1.1 miles) and Freman College (1.3 miles).