Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School
Blackthorn Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3JPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School is a primary school in Welwyn Garden City for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 2nd of 15 primary schools in Welwyn Garden City. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 June 2025, report published 9 September 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 24 June 2025
Pupils are very proud to be part of this school. When children join in Nursery, they quickly learn 'The Swallow Dell Way'. Pupils have a deep understanding of kindness, respect and ambition. This helps them work together in a polite and positive way. Pupils enjoy celebrating these school values together. They are happy and safe. Pupils know they can turn to trusted adults if they are worried or concerned. The school has high expectations of what pupils can achieve. Pupils' achievement in reading, writing and mathematics at the end of Year 6 has not previously reflected this. Staff and pupils share an understanding of the quality of work expected. As a result, pupils currently in the school typically achieve well. The school also has high standards for behaviour. Disruption in lessons is rare. Where a small number of younger pupils do need reminders, they respond quickly. There are many opportunities to help develop pupils' talents and interests. The school council helps decide the termly club offer. As a result, many pupils attend, including disadvantaged pupils. The school has carefully designed opportunities to strengthen the curriculum. Experiences such as a magistrate's visit help pupils to deepen their knowledge of crime and punishment.
What the school should improve
- Some older pupils have gaps in their knowledge in some foundation subjects due to past weaknesses in the curriculum. This means they do not have strong foundations on which to build new learning. The school should ensure that staff identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge in these subjects so that pupils build effectively on prior learning across the full range of subjects.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
56 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
418 pupils on roll, with places for 450
Schools near Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holwell Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 77% met the expected standard |
| Panshanger Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 80% met the expected standard |
| Peartree Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 75% met the expected standard |
| Watchlytes Primary School | 0.6 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 76% met the expected standard |
| Our Lady Catholic Primary School | 0.7 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | 70% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr James Berry
- Phone
- 01707339079
- Address
- Blackthorn Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3JP
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- URN
- 133488
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.