Purwell Primary School, Hitchin

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Purwell Primary school. Purwell is a small, inclusive, nurturing, and family orientated one-form entry school. The school is built on a hilltop overlooking Hitchin within the community of Purwell."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, cricket, chess, cooking and cheerleading.

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Purwell Primary 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 85% in reading and 81% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 7 families put Purwell Primary School as their first choice and 35 named it as one of their preferences, for 7 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 Purwell Primary School are Mary Exton Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 67% maths); Highover Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 86% reading, 83% maths); William Ransom Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 87% reading, 85% maths); and St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin (0.8 miles, Outstanding, 94% reading, 90% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Purwell Primary School.

74 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Purwell Primary School (as of September 2025): 77% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 18% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (91%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (18%).

12.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (65%), Mixed (12%) and Asian (8%).

The nearest railway station is Hitchin Rail Station, about 1070 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fairfield Way (near), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 76 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).

In 2024/25, Purwell Primary School issued 11 suspensions, 6.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The secondary schools closest to Purwell Primary School are Hitchin Girls' School (1 mile), The Highfield School (1.1 miles), Hitchin Boys' School (1.3 miles) and Fearnhill School (1.6 miles).