St Giles' CofE Primary School, Potters Bar

Ofsted's report card from its 13 January 2026 inspection grades St Giles' CofE Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 5 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have designed a comprehensive and highly inclusive provision for pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders recognise the links between weaker achievement and poor attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum has been redesigned in recent years."

Early years - Expected standard. "The early years foundation stage curriculum is suitably ambitious."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed robust systems for identifying pupils' needs and any barriers to learning they face."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, including governors, share an ambitious vision for high-quality education for all pupils."

Achievement - Needs attention. "The school's published outcomes in national tests in phonics and mathematics have been below national averages for three years."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should continue to ensure that the gaps in pupils' foundational knowledge close rapidly, in order to improve pupils' achievement, particularly in phonics and mathematics. • Leaders should ensure the consistent use of formative assessment to identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge".

From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of all of the children, staff and governors I would like to welcome you to St Giles' Church of England Primary School."

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at St Giles' CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 40% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 54% in reading and 46% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 12 families put St Giles' CofE Primary School as their first choice and 24 named it as one of their preferences, for 14 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 St Giles' CofE Primary School are The Wroxham School (0.8 miles, Good, 87% reading, 87% maths); Cranborne Primary School (1.4 miles, Good, 90% reading, 90% maths); Pope Paul Catholic Primary School (1.5 miles); and Shenley Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 45% reading, 34% maths).

St Giles' CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 3 schools.

22 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about St Giles' CofE Primary School (as of April 2026): 91% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 0% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (0%).

In 2026, 13 pupils (15.7%) received SEN support and 1 (1.2%) 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 Potters Bar Rail Station, about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Church Yard (outside), 80 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 59 crimes within a mile of the school, most often other theft, violence and sexual offences and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).

St Giles' CofE Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.