Applecroft School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Applecroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JZOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Applecroft School is a primary school in Welwyn Garden City for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 1st of 15 primary schools in Welwyn Garden City. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 28 November 2023, report published 24 January 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 November 2023

Pupils are happy and safe within their 'Applecroft family'. They make meaningful and valuable contributions to the school and to the broader community. For example, they are currently designing a stained-glass window for a local church. Pupils see themselves as leaders. They write letters and petition school leaders to encourage them to make the school more sustainable. The school expects all pupils to achieve well. Pupils learn an ambitious set of vocabulary in all subjects. They are excited when they locate these words during their learning. They feel proud that they understand them. Pupils are caring towards each other. Older pupils look after the younger ones. They make sure the younger pupils get the help they need. Pupils are confident that the school deals with any rare bullying incidents so that they do not recur. Pupils know how to keep themselves safe both online and offline. They learn, for example, about the risks around water and train lines because these are dangers they may encounter in the local area. Pupils learn about the lives of people who are different to them. They talk maturely about the importance of mutual respect and understanding. Visits to local places of worship support and embed this learning.

What the school should improve

  • Some teachers do not have the precise subject knowledge to teach the more specialised aspects of the new curriculum confidently and well. As a result of this, a few pupils do not remember what they have been taught as well as they should. Leaders should provide teachers with the training and support they require so that they implement all areas of the new curriculum effectively.
  • Leaders do not yet have a precise understanding of the relative strengths and weaknesses in the newly introduced curriculum. As a result, they cannot accurately prioritise training and support for staff. Leaders should make further use of assessment, alongside rigorous monitoring and evaluation, to ensure they have an accurate picture of how effectively the newly designed curriculum is being implemented.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

59 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths78%

78%, 16 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths20%

20%, 12 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score110

110, 5 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

454 pupils on roll, with places for 450

Eligible for free school meals9%

9%, 17.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language15%

15%, 6.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.1%

10.1%, 4.7 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.9%

2.9%, 3.1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Applecroft School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St John's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, Lemsford0.6 milesOfsted: Good62% met the expected standard
Peartree Primary School0.8 milesOfsted: Good75% met the expected standard
Our Lady Catholic Primary School0.9 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard70% met the expected standard
Templewood Primary School0.9 milesOfsted: Good60% met the expected standard
Creswick Academy1 mileOfsted: Requires improvement40% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
APPLECROFT SCHOOL
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Lisa Withe
Address
Applecroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JZ
Local authority
Hertfordshire
URN
137943

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.