Hatfield Community Free School

  • Primary
  • Free school
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Good

Briars Lane, Hatfield, AL10 8ESOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Hatfield Community Free School is a primary school in Hatfield for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 7th of 11 primary schools in Hatfield. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in March 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 11 March 2025, report published 1 April 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

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 11 March 2025

Pupils thrive in this welcoming and inclusive school. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), follow a broad and balanced curriculum. Pupils' achievement in national tests and assessments is in line with the outcomes achieved by pupils nationally. Pupils enjoy coming to school. They feel safe and know who to talk to if they have a concern. Pupils understand and consistently follow the school's simple rules, 'be ready, be respectful and be safe.' Children in the early years settle quickly into the school's routines and learn very well together. Pupils value the help the school provides for their social and emotional well-being. This support for pupils is a strength of the school's provision. Bullying is rare. Staff take swift and effective action if it does occur. Pupils appreciate the extra-curricular clubs they can choose to attend such as cooking, choir and football. The school is beginning to extend this offer so that pupils can pursue their interests. There are very strong relationships between staff and pupils. This results in a harmonious learning environment. All members of the school community celebrate the school's diversity. They understand why it is important to respect different cultures and ways of life.

What the school should improve

  • In places, the curriculum does not set out precisely what pupils should learn and when. This means that some pupils do not gain a broad and deep enough understanding of what they need to know. The school should ensure that the quality of curriculum thinking is consistent across all subjects, so that pupils learn as well as the school intends them to.
  • At times, teaching does not consistently take account of pupils' individual needs as precisely as it should. As a result, the implementation of the curriculum does not enable some pupils, including those who are disadvantaged or with SEND, to secure their understanding as well as it should. The academic achievement of some pupils is not as high as it could be. The school should ensure all staff have the expertise to make appropriate adaptations to teaching activities when necessary.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

60 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths57%

57%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths10%

10%, 2 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

406 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals24.1%

24.1%, 2.4 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language54.2%

54.2%, 32.6 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15.3%

15.3%, 0.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.2%

4.2%, 1.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Hatfield Community Free School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Philip Howard Catholic Primary School0.2 milesOfsted: Good42% met the expected standard
Oak View Primary and Nursery School0.3 milesOfsted: Good70% met the expected standard
Countess Anne Church of England School0.6 milesOfsted: Outstanding64% met the expected standard
De Havilland Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good61% met the expected standard
Birchwood Avenue Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good38% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Free schools
Sector
Free school
Trust
HATFIELD COMMUNITY FREE SCHOOL
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Victoria Hobson
Address
Briars Lane, Hatfield, AL10 8ES
Local authority
Hertfordshire
URN
138201

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.