Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School, Ware
Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Ware. It has a Church of England religious character. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in July 2026, ended in a report card: 5 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Before that it was rated Good at its last graded inspection, in May 2022. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 12th-highest of the 14 schools in Ware with published results, and 11,322nd of 14,452 across England. It was 47% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted report card
- 2 areas need attention
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
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 27 Oct 2026
Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School on 7 areas: 5 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Most pupils, including those with special educational needs and disadvantaged pupils, attend school regularly."
Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Pupils benefit from the school's broad curriculum."
Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors are ambitious for all pupils."
Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors have a shared, clear and ambitious vision for all pupils to achieve their potential."
Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils' personal development is a priority."
Achievement - Needs attention. "The school has small cohorts of pupils."
Early years - Needs attention. "The early years curriculum is designed to build children's learning progressively over time."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to embed improvements to the curriculum and teaching, so that pupils make progress and achieve well across the curriculum"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers check how well pupils learn and adjust the curriculum and their teaching in response"; "Leaders should ensure that activities in the early years have a clear purpose and that staff support children appropriately with their learning"; "Leaders should ensure that the routines and experiences in early years prepare children for their transition into Year 1".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Results
In 2025, 56% of Year 6 pupils at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 78% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 4 families put Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School as their first choice and 19 named it as one of their preferences, for 7 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 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 Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School are Thundridge Church of England Primary School (1 mile, Good, 89% reading, 56% maths); St Mary's Voluntary Controlled Church of England Junior School (2.2 miles, Good, 85% reading, 75% maths); Kingshill Infant School (2.2 miles, Good); and Larkspur Academy (2.3 miles, Good, 91% reading, 82% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School.
Thundridge Church of England Primary SchoolSt Mary's Voluntary Controlled Church of England Junior SchoolKingshill Infant SchoolLarkspur Academy
Who goes there
4.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (87%) and Mixed (7%).
In 2026, 8 pupils (17.8%) received SEN support and 5 (11.1%) 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.
Staffing
Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School had 7 teachers in 2026, one for every 7 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 3 miles away in a straight line.
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cambridge Cottages (near), 150 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson and public order offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).
Suspensions and exclusions
Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- InclusionExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Early yearsNeeds attention
Safeguarding standards: met
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School
Pupils are proud of their school. The school values align closely with its ethos. These values are central to the positive relationships which exist across the school. Pupils have a clear sense of belonging, knowing they are valued and recognised members of the community. Most pupils attend regularly, behave well and try hard. Relationships across the school are positive. Older pupils look out for their younger peers. They get on well together during play and learning times. The school's caring and positive relationships result in a typically calm learning environment. Pupils do not worry about bullying. They know that staff will help them if they have any worries. Pupils feel safe and well supported. Pupils enjoy the wider opportunities on offer in school. Everyone gets the chance to take part. Pupils enjoy activities, such as learning to play a musical instrument, performing in the school band and singing proudly in the local church. They benefit from visits which complement their learning. Pupils especially appreciated their visit to the British Museum linked to their history learning about Ancient Egypt. Residential experiences build older pupils' confidence and independence as they prepare to move to secondary school. The school council gathers and represent the views of their peers. Pupils understand the importance of showing kindness and respect. They speak confidently about democracy and the principles of fairness. They know that being fair does not necessarily mean that everyone is treated equally. Pupils explain how sometimes adjustments are made because different people have differing needs. Over time, pupils' achievement in national tests is variable. This means that some pupils are not prepared well for the next stage in their education. Leaders are taking appropriate steps to improve the quality and consistency of teaching, including in the school's early years.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should continue to embed improvements to the curriculum and teaching, so that pupils make progress and achieve well across the curriculum.
- Leaders should ensure that teachers check how well pupils learn and adjust the curriculum and their teaching in response.
- Leaders should ensure that activities in the early years have a clear purpose and that staff support children appropriately with their learning.
- Leaders should ensure that the routines and experiences in early years prepare children for their transition into Year 1.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 7 July 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's July 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This is a warm, inclusive school where every child feels valued and part of the community. Pupils benefit from a broad curriculum with excellent enrichment opportunities, and staff know each child extremely well to provide personalised support. The school excels at developing pupils' confidence, character and social skills in a caring environment where bullying is rare and relationships are positive.
Key Strengths
- Strong safeguarding culture with open and positive relationships throughout the school
- Inclusive community where pupils with SEND settle well and receive specialist support
- Excellent personal development opportunities including music, sport, forest school and residential experiences
- Calm, caring environment where pupils are polite, kind and feel safe
- Well-taught phonics and strong focus on promoting a love of reading
Areas for Improvement
- Achievement in national tests is variable - pupils do not achieve as well as they should, particularly in early years
- Some inconsistency in early years staffing has led to variability in curriculum delivery and routines
- Teaching practices for checking what pupils know and remember need further development
- Children's misconceptions and learning gaps are not always identified and addressed quickly enough
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders and governors fulfil their responsibilities, maintain an open safeguarding culture, and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Music lessons and school band, singing performances in local church, forest school outdoor learning, lunchtime challenges, charity challenges including dance for diabetes, educational visits to museums, Year 6 residential experiences, school council
Puller Memorial is a small Church of England primary school where pupils feel safe, happy and valued in a caring community. However, achievement in national tests is variable and some pupils are not as well prepared for their next educational steps as they should be.
At a Glance
17.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
2024/25 academic year
Class Sizes
11.0
Avg class size
8.0
Infant (KS1)
12.5
KS2
3
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School.
- Premier Education - Puller Memorial PrimaryAt the school · Not yet graded
Term dates
Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School is a voluntary aided school, 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
You apply to the council where you live. Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School is in Hertfordshire; for families living there:
- Hertfordshire's school travel policy: Read the home to school transport policy
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 1
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 0
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight.
No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt.
0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Hertfordshire is 9 (the median across 590 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School
Will you get a place at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School? Get the admissions report
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What the report includes for Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Hertfordshire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Hertfordshire got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
47%
Available places
49 pupils
105 places
56 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(9)
Ungraded inspection: The school remains Good, but Ofsted raised concerns; its next inspection will be a full graded one.
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
8
SEN Support
5
EHC Plans
28.9%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
45
Total Pupils
19
Boys
26
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
7
Teachers
6.4:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£47,620
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£8,645
Per pupil
£470k
Total funding
£15k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.1%
Overall absence
14.0%
Persistent absence
43
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School
What are SATs results like at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Of the pupils at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 56% reached the expected standard in reading and 78% did so in maths.
What is Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in July 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in May 2022, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School is oversubscribed, Hertfordshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 47% of its 105 places.
How big are the classes at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Classes at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School average 11 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School has around 45 pupils on roll. 18% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School?
6.1% of sessions were missed at Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School in 2024/25. 14% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Apply through Hertfordshire's coordinated admissions process, naming Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School 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 Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: Premier Education - Puller Memorial Primary (registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 1 road collision in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 1 slight. No children aged 0 to 15 were among the people hurt. 0 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Hertfordshire is 9 (the median across 590 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School?
Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School is at High Cross, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG11 1AZ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)