Swell Church of England Primary School, Cotswold

Ofsted's report card from its 13 January 2026 inspection grades Swell Church of England Primary School on 6 areas: 3 strong standard and 3 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 worked tenaciously to bring about a positive change in attendance culture."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "The school's ethos is that every pupil, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), will succeed."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The personal development programme is expertly and coherently designed to meet the needs and aspirations of pupils at this school."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils learn the curriculum well across subjects so that they are ready for their next stage."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum that builds on the knowledge pupils already know so they are ready for their next steps."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, including trust leaders, and those responsible for governance, put pupils at the centre of their decision making."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that staff support pupils to develop correct letter formation so that they can write more fluently and confidently. • Leaders should ensure that teachers identify and address misconceptions in pupils' written work so that pupils do not continue to make repeated errors".

In its own words: "Our commitment is to ensure that every member of our Trust community is respected, valued, nurtured and challenged to enable all to flourish. Through an understanding of the unique strengths and challenges of schools, both in the North Cotswolds and wider, we work proactively to create solutions to meet the needs of all of our children and families."

In 2024, 88% of Year 6 pupils at Swell Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 63% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 72% in Gloucestershire and 76% and 74% across England.

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

For September 2026 entry, 3 families put Swell Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 12 named it as one of their preferences, for 3 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 Swell Church of England Primary School are Stow-on-the-Wold Primary School (1.4 miles, Good, 61% reading, 83% maths); Longborough Church of England Primary School (2.6 miles, 75% reading, 75% maths); Bourton-on-the-Water Primary School (2.8 miles, Good, 74% reading, 68% maths); and Cold Aston Church of England Primary School (4.5 miles, 100% reading, 100% maths).

Swell Church of England Primary School is one of 5 schools run by North Cotswold Schools Federation MAT, an academy trust.

10 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Swell Church of England Primary School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school and 100% say their child is happy there.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (100%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (90%).

3.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 9 pupils (28.1%) received SEN support and 1 (3.1%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

Swell Church of England Primary School had 4 teachers in 2026, one for every 7 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 Swell Church of England Primary School.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lower Swell School (opposite), 30 metres away.

Swell Church of England Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.