Hormead Church of England (VA) First School Review 2026: A small, three tier start with strong early reading

Because this is a first school finishing at Year 4, the usual national end of primary measures that parents see for Year 6 are not the right comparison point. The more useful evidence is the quality of early reading and the way knowledge is sequenced for younger pupils.

The school places early reading at the centre of its approach. Its reading and phonics documentation sets out a structured pathway from Nursery into Reception and Year 1, including daily phonics teaching and a systematic programme for teaching children to decode and build fluency. The inspection report reinforces this focus, describing timely support for children who are not keeping up with the reading programme and regular opportunities to read widely.

For parents comparing local options, the FindMySchool comparison tools are most helpful here when used for context, not direct like for like performance tables. A three tier area often means children move between schools earlier, so it is sensible to compare the whole pathway, not just one institution in isolation.

Early years provision is a defining feature. The school runs a preschool for two to three year olds and a nursery for three to four year olds, with a stated aim of creating a coherent learning pathway through to the end of Reception. That coherence is important, because children entering at two can build confidence, language, and routines over multiple years before they reach statutory schooling.

Reading is taught with a clear progression. The school explains how it builds foundations in Nursery through stories, rhymes, and oral blending, then moves into more formal phonics teaching from the very start of Reception. For families, the implication is practical, children who thrive on routine and incremental mastery often do well in a setting where staff share a common method and revisit learning frequently.

Outdoor learning is another strand that feels embedded rather than occasional. Forest School takes place weekly for all year groups, with the school describing tool use, managed risk, and problem solving as deliberate components of the approach. In a small school, this can be a powerful equaliser, children who are quieter in the classroom often show confidence outdoors, and that can feed back into behaviour, friendships, and willingness to try hard in lessons.

This school is part of a local three tier partnership, with pupils typically moving on after Year 4. The partner middle schools named by the school are Edwinstree Middle School and Ralph Sadleir School, and the upper school listed is Freman College.

For parents, the implication is that choosing this first school is also a choice about the next steps. It is worth reading the middle school admissions information early, because age 9 transfer is a different experience from the more common move at 11. The advantage is continuity within a known local system. The challenge is that families new to the area need to understand the timeline from the outset.

Reception admissions are coordinated by Hertfordshire County Council, with the school advising that applications for Reception entry for September 2026 are made between 1 November and 15 January. County published dates for the September 2026 intake set out the wider timeline, the online system opens 3 November 2025, the on time deadline is 15 January 2026, and national allocation day is 16 April 2026.

The school is oversubscribed in the latest demand figures, with 37 applications for 16 offers, which works out at 2.31 applications per place. For families considering a move, this is the practical reality, entry can be competitive even in a small rural community.

Nursery and preschool entry runs differently. The school asks families to complete a register of interest for early years places and describes two induction visits once a place is offered. For catchment checking, parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to test their exact home to gate distance and to sense check how realistic a place is alongside other local options.

Safeguarding is treated as a core function rather than a bolt on. Ofsted confirmed that safeguarding arrangements were effective at the most recent inspection. In a small school, a key strength can be the speed with which concerns are noticed and followed up, because staff tend to know families well across several years.

Support for additional needs is described in practical terms. The inspection report references adaptation of learning and targeted interventions for pupils with more complex needs, with an expectation that pupils learn alongside peers where possible. This matters in a first school, where early identification can change a child’s trajectory well before formal testing and late primary pressures begin.

Forest School is the standout named programme, delivered weekly for all year groups. The school describes structured opportunities to develop initiative, cooperation, and confidence, including supervised tool use and learning in all weathers when safe to do so. For children who need movement and hands on tasks to stay engaged, this can be a genuine advantage.

Extracurricular life also includes wraparound clubs after the school day. The school runs after school clubs from 3.15pm to 4.15pm, and it also references a later club option. In early years, the preschool page also mentions a weekly specialist music teacher and Forest School sessions as part of the youngest children’s experience.

Community events help define the feel of a small school. The PTA describes an annual Firework Spectacular and a Summer Fair, alongside regular volunteering support such as listening to pupils read and helping on trips. These details suggest a school where families who want to be involved will find clear routes to do so.

The school day runs from 8.45am to 3.15pm, with a 32.5 hour week stated on the website. Morning club is available from 7.45am. After school clubs run until 4.15pm, and a later club is referenced for families who need extended pickup options.

As this is a rural setting, many families will travel by car. A school lettings document notes limited on site parking near the hall, with space for around 10 cars, which is helpful context for drop off planning and events.

• Three tier transition at age 9. Pupils typically move on after Year 4, and families should understand the middle school timeline early so the transfer feels planned rather than abrupt.

• Attendance needs active management for a small group. The inspection report highlights that some pupils miss too much school, which can affect progress and access to wider opportunities.

• Curriculum change takes time to bed in. The inspection report notes that some curriculum plans are new and staff are still embedding them, so parents may want to ask how leaders evaluate impact and support teacher development.

• Oversubscription at Reception. Demand can exceed places, so timing and application accuracy matter, especially for families moving into the area.

Hormead Church of England (VA) First School suits families who want a small setting, a clearly structured early reading approach, and a local three tier pathway that runs from age 2 through to sixth form within the same partnership. It is also a strong fit for children who respond well to outdoor learning, given the weekly Forest School programme. The main constraint is admission, competition for Reception places can be real, and the age 9 transition requires families to think one step ahead.