Pirton School, Hitchin

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades Pirton School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 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. "Leaders make early years a clear priority."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders give a high priority to pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Most pupils develop the knowledge and skills they need and are ready for the next stage of their education."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders make attendance a high priority."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have improved the curriculum since the previous inspection."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive school where staff identify pupils' needs accurately and early."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders understand what the school does well and what needs to improve."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure pupils apply their reading, writing and vocabulary skills accurately across all subjects, and that staff identify and correct errors quickly, so pupils build knowledge securely over time"; "Leaders and governors should strengthen communication and engagement with parents and the wider community to further build trust and consistency, while continuing to support staff wellbeing and manage workload"; "Leaders should ensure that expectations for behaviour and learning are applied consistently, so that pupils remain focused and complete their work without interruption".

In its own words: "On behalf of the staff and children, I would like to welcome you to Pirton School. Read about the interesting history of our school building, first opened in 1877. We have a fantastic team of dedicated and hardworking staff at Pirton School."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama and art.

Coming up: an open day on Monday 2 November 2026 at 9.30am and an open day on Monday 9 November 2026 at 9.30am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 75% of Year 6 pupils at Pirton School reached the expected standard in reading and 70% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 92% in reading and 67% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 15 families put Pirton School as their first choice and 26 named it as one of their preferences, for 17 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 Pirton School are Stondon Lower School (2.1 miles, Good); Oughton Primary and Nursery School (2.1 miles, Good, 55% reading, 72% maths); Shillington Lower School (2.2 miles, Good); and Ickleford Primary School (2.3 miles, Good, 90% reading, 90% maths).

Pirton School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 2 schools.

14% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 5.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (79%) and Mixed (12%).

In 2026, 31 pupils (22.8%) received SEN support and 7 (5.1%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Pirton School had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Hitchin Rail Station, about 3.3 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is War Memorial (opposite), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 2 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).

In 2024/25, Pirton School issued 7 suspensions, 5.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.