Clifford Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Hardwicke, Hay-on-Wye, Clifford, HR3 5HAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Clifford Primary School is a primary school in Clifford for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 112 schools in Herefordshire. It ranks 21st of 71 primary schools in Herefordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2012.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 10 October 2012, report published 5 November 2012

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 February 2023

Clifford Primary School is a happy, friendly school that pupils enjoy attending. Pupils and staff greet each other warmly every morning, showing the positive relationships that are in place. Pupils, staff and families talk about the 'family atmosphere'. This is a caring school, where everyone looks out for everyone else. As a result, pupils feel safe in school. Leaders want the best for every pupil, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils live up to these expectations. They enjoy making a positive contribution to the life of the school and the local community. Pupils play a role in decision-making in school. For example, they all take part in 'Pupil Parliament'. Pupils generally behave well. Around school, they are polite and respectful. Older pupils act as role models for younger pupils. For example, pupils enjoy eating lunch together sitting at mixed-age 'house' tables. Peer mediators are on hand to help solve any issues. If bullying ever happens, adults quickly step in. Pupils enjoy the range of opportunities on offer. Leaders are keen to ensure that all pupils who want to join clubs can do so. From football to film club, there is something for everyone.

What the school should improve

  • There is some inconsistency in teaching the new phonics programme and in teachers' subject knowledge. Some staff do not use efficient strategies to help pupils read words and some pupils read books which contain sounds they do not know. As a result, some pupils do not learn to read as well as they could. Leaders should ensure that all staff teach phonics in the way that leaders intend, and that pupils read books that are well matched to their phonic knowledge.
  • In some subjects, teachers do not use assessment well enough to check pupils' understanding or identify gaps in their learning. As a result, pupils do not always build on what they know, over time. Leaders should ensure that all teachers use assessment consistently well to identify and address any gaps in pupils' learning so pupils can progress well across the curriculum over time.
  • Opportunities for pupils to experience cultural and religious diversity are currently limited. This means that some pupils have a limited understanding of cultures and families that are different to those in their immediate community. Leaders should ensure that the curriculum contains explicit opportunities for pupils to develop their knowledge of diversity in order to better prepare pupils for life in modern Britain.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

17 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths94%

94%, 32 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score111

111, 5 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score108

108, 3 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

101 pupils on roll, with places for 105

Eligible for free school meals6.9%

6.9%, 19.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language0%

0%, 21.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support14.9%

14.9%, 0.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1%

1%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Clifford Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Eardisley CofE Primary School4 milesOfsted: Good79% met the expected standard
Staunton-on-Wye Endowed Primary School6 milesOfsted: Good56% met the expected standard
Almeley Primary School6 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard44% met the expected standard
Peterchurch Primary School6 milesOfsted: Good29% met the expected standard
Michaelchurch Escley Primary School6 milesOfsted: Good80% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Jennifer Langford
Address
Hardwicke, Hay-on-Wye, Clifford, HR3 5HA
Local authority
Herefordshire
URN
116668

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.