St Mary's CofE Academy Stotfold
Rook Tree Lane, Stotfold, Hitchin, SG5 4DLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Mary's CofE Academy Stotfold is a primary school in Hitchin for ages 5 to 9. It is one of the 134 schools in Central Bedfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in May 2016.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 5 May 2016, report published 7 June 2016
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 February 2025
Pupils receive a warm welcome at this school. They benefit from how deeply staff care about them. The school makes time to get to know pupils' needs and interests. This is particularly successful for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As a result, pupils are safe, happy and ready to learn. Pupils talk positively about their learning. They know staff want them to succeed. Pupils relish reward points for their work and effort. Staff skilfully support pupils to access the ambitious curriculum. As a result, most pupils achieve well and are suitably prepared for the next stage of their education. The school has a strong culture of mutual respect and kindness. This results in pupils behaving well and being empathetic. They play and learn harmoniously. Pupils also know that staff will help them with any worries. Pupils enjoy the range of wider opportunities to broaden their horizons. Pupils experience activities that they may otherwise not get to do. This includes a residential and visits to museums, zoos, theatres and local areas of interest. Many pupils take up the offer of a club, such as football, science, signing or prayer club. There are also sports leaders and an elected school council. This develops pupils' sense of responsibility.
What the school should improve
- Sometimes, the school's checks on learning in wider curriculum subjects are not used robustly enough to address gaps in pupils' knowledge. Therefore, some pupils do not build knowledge in the detail or depth the school intends. The school needs to ensure sufficient time is given to address gaps in pupils' knowledge in these subjects so that pupils achieve more highly.
- The school is at the early stages of developing a bespoke curriculum for a few pupils with SEND. This means these pupils are not developing some communication skills as securely as the school intends. The school needs to ensure that the key knowledge to support the language acquisition of these pupils is more precisely outlined. This will support staff confidence and skill in how best to support these pupils to excel from their starting points.
Pupil numbers and mix
297 pupils on roll, with places for 300
Schools near St Mary's CofE Academy Stotfold
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roecroft Lower School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Not published |
| Pix Brook Academy | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 60% met the expected standard |
| Etonbury Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 45.5 |
| The Grange Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 64% met the expected standard |
| Northfields Infants and Nursery School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- ST MARY'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY, STOTFOLD
- Age range
- 5 to 9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Miss Sam Bishop
- Phone
- 01462730343
- Address
- Rook Tree Lane, Stotfold, Hitchin, SG5 4DL
- Local authority
- Central Bedfordshire
- URN
- 138022
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.