Burford CofE Primary School, Tenbury Wells

Ofsted's report card from its 16 June 2026 inspection grades Burford CofE Primary School on 7 areas: 3 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders are determined to ensure that every pupil is known and has a voice."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have established a clear vision where pupils are at the heart of everything they do."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders are ambitious for pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils at the school generally attain in line with or slightly above national averages."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance is above the national average for all groups of pupils."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a curriculum that is broad and balanced, with the local area at its core."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a clear and ambitious vision for the early years."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teaching consistently provides pupils with opportunities to complete more complex work when they are ready to do so"; "Leaders should continue their work to raise attendance and reduce persistent absence"; "Leaders should further develop the curriculum so that children develop a broader understanding of the wider world".

In its own words: "On behalf of the children and staff of our school I would like to welcome you Burford CofE Primary School. We are a school that puts our value of 'Love' into the heart of everything we do at our truly inclusive school. We believe all children have a right to learn how to be their true selves, and to flourish."

In 2025, 65% of Year 6 pupils at Burford CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 65% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 72% in Shropshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (74% in reading, 61% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 16 families put Burford CofE Primary School as their first choice and 26 named it as one of their preferences, for 16 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Burford CofE Primary School are Tenbury CofE Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 77% reading, 90% maths); Clee Hill Community Academy (3.9 miles, Good, 77% reading, 85% maths); Bishop Hooper Church of England Primary School (4.8 miles, Good, 64% reading, 71% maths); and Cleobury Mortimer Primary School (6.3 miles, Good, 48% reading, 58% maths).

Burford CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Burford CofE Primary School is one of 21 schools run by Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 66% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

6.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 32 pupils (22.7%) received SEN support and 10 (7.1%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

Burford CofE Primary School has a resourced provision (8 places, 0 pupils on roll) and a SEN unit (8 places, 5 pupils on roll) for speech, language and communication needs and autism.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Burford CofE Primary School.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Swan Lane Jct (opposite), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 27 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Shropshire (10), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Burford CofE Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 2.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.