Barkway VA Church of England First School
84 High Street, Barkway, SG8 8EFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Barkway VA Church of England First School is a primary school in Barkway for ages 4 to 9. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 8 November 2023, report published 18 December 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 8 November 2023
This is a warm, welcoming and nurturing school. Pupils are well looked after and enjoy school. They feel safe. They know that adults in school care about them and will sort out any problems. Pupils behave well in class. Playtimes are calm and happy occasions. Pupils learn about different cultures and religions. The school has made valuable connections with a school in Kenya and with a large primary school in East London. This helps pupils to understand communities that are different to their own. Pupils learn to respect each other. They show this, for example, when speaking about each other's work. Pupils have opportunities to spend time with older pupils on the Barley site. They come together for occasions such as sports days and Christmas events and take part in a range of activities to raise money for charities and the local community. Pupils can take on responsibilities. The Year 1 school council members spoke about how they voted for and chose the play equipment for the school. School assemblies and weekly newsletters provide opportunities for pupils to showcase their best work. Pupils recognise their own successes and are proud of their achievements. As a result, pupils develop as independent and confident learners. They achieve well.
What the school should improve
- Most adults use questioning to check what pupils know and to help pupils to extend their thinking to deepen their understanding. Some staff have not yet developed the skills to do this effectively. The school must continue to ensure that all staff have the expertise to use questioning effectively to support pupils' understanding so that they achieve as well as they can.
- Governors do not yet have a secure enough understanding of the quality of the curriculum in subjects other than English and mathematics. As a result, they are not able to assure themselves that pupils are learning what they should and achieving well in foundation subjects. The school must ensure that governors gain a better understanding of the quality of the curriculum in all subjects, including how well pupils are achieving.
Pupil numbers and mix
24 pupils on roll, with places for 57
Schools near Barkway VA Church of England First School
| School | Distance | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Reed First School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good |
| Barley (VA) Church of England First School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Anstey First School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard |
| Therfield First School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good |
| Studlands Rise First School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Miss Lara Miere
- Phone
- 01763848283
- Address
- 84 High Street, Barkway, SG8 8EF
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- URN
- 117422
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.