Sherston CofE Primary School, Malmesbury

Ofsted's report card from its 3 February 2026 inspection grades Sherston CofE Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 3 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils' attendance is a significant strength of the school."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Published outcomes show that pupils' achievement is above other pupils nationally."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's personal development programme supports pupils' social and emotional wellbeing."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders do not have an accurate and informed view of the quality of the curriculum in some areas."

Early years - Needs attention. "In the early years curriculum, leaders have not considered well enough how children will build their knowledge over time."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders, including governors, do not have a detailed enough understanding of what the school needs to do to improve some aspects of the school's work."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers identify and address gaps in pupils' learning to improve pupils' writing knowledge, including spelling, sentence structure and letter formation"; "Leaders should ensure that the early years curriculum is designed and sequenced so that children build the knowledge and skills they need to be ready for Year 1"; "Leaders, including governors, should ensure that there is robust oversight of the actions that they take to improve the school so that weaknesses are promptly identified and addressed".

From the headteacher's welcome: "As a proud local resident of this beautiful village, I feel deeply connected to both our school and the wider community, and I firmly believe that Sherston CE Primary School lies at the heart of it all. Nestled on the edge of the Cotswolds, our school is surrounded by stunning countryside and thrives within a vibrant village community."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 95% of Year 6 pupils at Sherston CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 100% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 73% in Wiltshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (95% in reading, 100% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 36 families put Sherston CofE Primary School as their first choice and 56 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 7 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Sherston CofE Primary School are Luckington Community School (1.7 miles, Good, 75% reading, 88% maths); Hullavington CofE Primary and Nursery School (3.7 miles, Good, 67% reading, 80% maths); Leighterton Primary School (3.7 miles, 92% reading, 92% maths); and Trinity Church of England Primary School (4 miles, Good, 87% reading, 67% maths).

Sherston CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

84 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Sherston CofE Primary School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 99% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).

6.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 6.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (90%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 17 pupils (13.4%) received SEN support and 3 (2.4%) 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.

Sherston CofE Primary School had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

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

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is North End Gardens (n-bound), 250 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Wiltshire (34).

Sherston CofE Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.