Shefford C.E. Primary School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 April 2026

Pupils are happy at this nurturing school. They know the school’s Christian values of community, compassion, courage, trust and thankfulness. Pupils participate in a range of curriculum enrichment opportunities, including football, drama productions and musical instrument tuition. They enjoy their leadership responsibilities, such as being house captains, sports leaders and worship leaders. From the beginning of the early years, pupils are included in all aspects of school life and develop a strong sense of belonging. Most pupils enjoy their lessons and learn the curriculum well. By the end of key stage 2, most pupils develop secure knowledge and use increasingly sophisticated vocabulary confidently. For example, when studying how volcanoes are formed, pupils can readily describe the movement of tectonic plates and why they occur where they do. In reading, writing and mathematics, pupils' secure learning is reflected in positive published test results, although pupils' times tables knowledge is not yet in line with national averages in the Year 4 multiplication check. Disadvantaged pupils and those known to social care are supported thoughtfully. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities have their needs identified quickly. Staff generally adapt teaching and resources effectively. Pupils access learning successfully and develop increasing independence. Most pupils with known barriers to their learning are given learning activities that are adapted specifically for their needs. As a result, they successfully progress through the curriculum. Pupils feel safe. They attend school regularly and know that if bullying happens at the school, it is resolved by staff supportively. Pupils' behaviour is generally positive, but there is further work to do to ensure that the recently revised behaviour policy is implemented fully across all classrooms.

What the school should improve

• Governors should further develop their knowledge and expertise to provide robust support and challenge to leaders that results in improved achievement, behaviour and attendance for pupils consistently and effectively across the federation.
• Leaders should ensure that the recently developed behaviour policy is consistently and effectively implemented across the staff team so that all pupils develop positive attitudes to their learning.
• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is adapted precisely for pupils who need additional support to enable all pupils to build on what they know more securely across all curriculum subjects.
• Leaders should ensure that mathematics lessons strengthen pupils' learning of mathematics, including times tables knowledge, resulting in improved published outcomes for all pupils over time.
• Leaders should further develop the programme of personal development and wellbeing so that the school's teaching of British values is understood clearly by all pupils.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)