Larkspur Academy has closed (Monday 31 August 2026).
The information below is kept for reference.
Larkspur Academy, Ware
Larkspur Academy is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Ware, part of Ivy Learning Trust. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2023. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 2nd-highest of the 14 schools in Ware with published results, and 2,822nd of 14,452 across England. It was 40% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2023)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Hertfordshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Larkspur Academy in detail
Results
In 2025, 91% of Year 6 pupils at Larkspur Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 82% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 75% in reading and 75% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Larkspur Academy
For September 2026 entry, 4 families put Larkspur Academy as their first choice and 19 named it as one of their preferences, for 4 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Larkspur Academy are St Mary's Voluntary Controlled Church of England Junior School (0.4 miles, Good, 85% reading, 75% maths); Priors Wood Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 76% reading, 76% maths); Kingshill Infant School (0.4 miles, Good); and Christ Church CofE (VA) Primary School and Nursery (0.5 miles, Good, 87% reading, 69% maths).
Larkspur Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.
St Mary's Voluntary Controlled Church of England Junior SchoolPriors Wood Primary SchoolKingshill Infant SchoolChrist Church CofE (VA) Primary School and Nursery
The trust
Larkspur Academy is one of 17 schools run by Ivy Learning Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 74% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
Who goes there
56.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 12.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (67%), Asian (14%) and Black (8%).
In 2026, 21 pupils (32.8%) received SEN support and 3 (4.7%) 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.
Staffing
Larkspur Academy had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 10 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Ware Rail Station, about 1130 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).
9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Selwyn Court (opposite), 120 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Larkspur Academy issued 7 suspensions, 8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its January 2023 inspection - up from Inadequate.
Rated Outstanding for
Leadership & management.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Early years.
At a Glance
56.3%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 75% to 91% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 75% to 82% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 70% to 82% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
15.5
Avg class size
16.0
KS2
2
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Larkspur Academy
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Larkspur Academy.
- Premier Education - St Mary's Junior School620m away · Not yet graded
- Camp 4 Champs740m away · Not yet graded
Term dates
Larkspur Academy is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Hertfordshire's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Larkspur Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Larkspur Academy is in Hertfordshire; for families living there:
- Hertfordshire's school travel policy: Read the home to school transport policy
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Larkspur Academy
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
40%
Available places
83 pupils
210 places
127 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Ware
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Ware
Across Hertfordshire council
Places available
14,776
Applications
12,543
Got 1st preference
89.1%
Got preferred school
98.4%
All primary applications across Hertfordshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(2)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
21
SEN Support
3
EHC Plans
37.5%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
64
Total Pupils
25
Boys
39
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
8
Teachers
8.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£54,829
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£7,754
Per pupil
£769k
Total funding
£70k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
8.9%
Overall absence
36.0%
Persistent absence
75
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Larkspur Academy
What are SATs results like at Larkspur Academy?
Of the pupils at Larkspur Academy who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 91% reached the expected standard in reading and 82% did so in maths.
What is Larkspur Academy's Ofsted rating?
Larkspur Academy was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2023. At its previous graded inspection in 2017 it was rated Inadequate.
What is the catchment area for Larkspur Academy?
No fixed boundary. When Larkspur Academy is oversubscribed, Hertfordshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Larkspur Academy?
Larkspur Academy was not full in 2025: it ran at 40% of its 210 places.
How big are the classes at Larkspur Academy?
Classes at Larkspur Academy average 15.5 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Larkspur Academy?
Larkspur Academy has around 64 pupils on roll. 56% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Larkspur Academy?
8.9% of sessions were missed at Larkspur Academy in 2024/25. 36% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Larkspur Academy?
Apply through Hertfordshire's coordinated admissions process, naming Larkspur Academy on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Larkspur Academy have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists 2 out-of-school clubs within a kilometre of Larkspur Academy: Premier Education - St Mary's Junior School (620m away, registered, not yet graded) and Camp 4 Champs (740m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
Where is Larkspur Academy?
Larkspur Academy is at Tower Road, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 7LP.