St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin, Hitchin

Ofsted's report card from its 14 July 2026 inspection grades St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin on 7 areas: 3 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have high expectations for all pupils to attend school regularly."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders are passionate about the early years."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils embody the school's values."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils' achievement in national tests is a notable strength across the school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders accurately understand the quality of curriculum and teaching."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders know pupils well and take time to learn about their interests, talents and needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know their school well."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to refine the teaching of writing to ensure that pupils are consistently applying transcriptional skills and knowledge to produce high-quality work across the curriculum"; "Leaders should ensure that rigorous monitoring supports staff to make skilful adjustments in teaching to make a sustained difference to vulnerable pupils".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Starting school is an exciting time for both child and family. Your child, who is unique and precious to you, will be welcomed into St Andrew's with care, love and support. We are committed to ensuring that all children have a stimulating, challenging and fun learning experience."

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

In 2025, 94% of Year 6 pupils at St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin reached the expected standard in reading and 90% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 90% in reading and 80% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 34 families put St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin as their first choice and 133 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 4 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin are William Ransom Primary School (0.3 miles, Outstanding, 87% reading, 85% maths); Highbury Infant School and Nursery (0.5 miles, Good); Mary Exton Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 80% reading, 67% maths); and Whitehill Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 83% reading, 82% maths).

St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

6.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 12% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (60%), Mixed (15%) and Asian (5%).

In 2026, 23 pupils (9.8%) received SEN support and 5 (2.1%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Hitchin Rail Station, about 300 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hitchin Railway Station, 280 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 227 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin issued 10 suspensions, 4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin are Hitchin Girls' School (0.3 miles), Hitchin Boys' School (0.6 miles), The Priory School (1.1 miles) and The Highfield School (1.6 miles).