Burley Gate CofE Primary School Review 2026: A small rural Church school with strong KS2 outcomes and Forest School

A small primary and nursery where Christian values sit alongside a practical, outdoorsy feel. Forest School, an adventure trail, and multiple playground spaces feature prominently in how the setting is presented, and the school day includes daily collective worship with a clear weekly rhythm. A May 2024 inspection confirmed the school continues to be Good, with safeguarding effective, and it also highlights reading as a priority and behaviour as settled.

Academy status places it within the Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust, which matters for admissions arrangements and governance. For families who want a village school experience, with wraparound care and a reputation for calm, purposeful learning, it is a compelling option.

The school’s public-facing language is explicit about community and values, with a repeated emphasis on loving your neighbour and treating others with respect. The church-school pages describe consistent routines and fair application of rules, tying day-to-day expectations back to a values framework rather than a list of sanctions.

Daily collective worship is part of the normal rhythm, and the weekly structure is unusually specific for a primary. Monday is Choral Praise, Tuesday is Picture News, Wednesday is Global Neighbours, Thursday is visitor-led worship, and Friday is Celebration and Reflection. For some families, that predictability is reassuring and helps children understand what the day is for. For others, it is a reminder that the Church of England character is integrated rather than token.

The school also frames spirituality broadly, describing it as relevant to wellbeing for children and adults, and it links that idea to outdoor learning and time in local churches and other places of worship. That wider definition will suit families who like the values and reflection aspects of a church school, even if they are not regular worshippers.

Nursery provision, ages 2 to 4

Early years is a visible part of the offer. The age range is 2 to 11, and the nursery is presented as a calm, light space with its own playground and garden, supported by dedicated early years indoor and outdoor areas for Reception as well.

Parents considering nursery should treat it as an entry point in its own right, not as a guaranteed route into Reception. In Herefordshire, you still need to apply for a Reception place through the local authority even if your child attends a school nursery.

A note on history and scale

The current building history is tied to the area’s rural school reorganisation story. Local history sources describe the planned new school building opening in 1972, and later leadership changes that reflect a small school adapting over time.

Scale remains part of the picture. Capacity is 105 and recent published pupil numbers on the Ofsted school page show a roll in the 80s, which typically supports a “known by name” feel, but can also mean mixed-age groupings and less anonymity for children who prefer to blend in.

This is a school where the headline KS2 picture is comfortably above England averages on combined measures.

In 2024, 71.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 26% reached greater depth across reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 8%. Those two figures together suggest the school supports both secure achievement and stretch for higher attainers.

Reading stands out within the published measures. In 2024, 79% reached the expected standard in reading and 50% achieved a high score in reading. Writing greater depth was 14%, and science expected was 86%. These aren’t just “good across the board” numbers; they point to particular confidence in reading and science, with writing depth more mixed, which is common in smaller cohorts.

Rankings are strong relative to the national primary pool. Ranked 2,110th in England and 7th in Hereford for primary outcomes, this sits above England average, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking based on official data).

If you are comparing options locally, the FindMySchool Local Hub comparison view is a quick way to sense-check how these outcomes sit alongside nearby schools on the same measures, rather than relying on anecdotes.

Reading is positioned as a priority, with a structured approach starting in early years, and that aligns with the outcomes profile. The May 2024 inspection report describes a strong focus on reading, including systematic phonics from early years onwards and a joined-up approach to the different component skills of reading.

The curriculum presentation on the website shows breadth across the usual primary subject set, including specialist areas such as French, and it provides year-by-year curriculum access points for families. The implication for parents is straightforward: you can usually see what is being covered and how it progresses, which is often a sign of consistent planning in small schools where teachers may carry multiple responsibilities.

Outdoor learning is not framed as a one-off enrichment day. Forest School appears as an explicit feature for ages 2 to 11, and the virtual tour also highlights an outdoor maths area for early years. In practical terms, that can suit children who learn best through movement and real objects, while still needing a clear structure for literacy and number work.

As a primary, the key transition is Year 6 to Year 7. The school’s rural setting means families often weigh travel routes, school transport availability, and which secondaries feel realistic for day-to-day logistics. Because secondary destinations depend heavily on home address and local authority allocation patterns, families should check Herefordshire’s secondary transfer information early, especially if you are considering a move.

The school also serves children who join outside the usual entry points, and that can shape transition planning. The May 2024 inspection report notes that a significant number of pupils join at times other than normal points of transfer, with a high proportion being pupils with SEND. For families arriving mid-phase, this can be reassuring, as transition and settling-in routines are likely to be well used.

Reception entry is part of the Herefordshire coordinated admissions process, even though the school is its own admission authority through the trust. The local authority application window for Reception places for September 2026 opened at 9am on 15 September 2025 and closed on 15 January 2026, with the national offer date on 16 April 2026.

The trust admissions arrangements for 2026 to 2027 set a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 15 for Reception. They also outline the standard options around deferring entry, part-time attendance for younger starters, and the approach for summer-born children whose parents request entry outside the normal year group.

Demand is meaningful for a small school. The most recent published admissions demand data shows 23 applications for 10 offers, with an oversubscribed status and a ratio of 2.3 applications per place. In plain terms, this is not “apply late and hope”; families need to treat deadlines and preferences seriously. Parents considering this option can use FindMySchool Map Search to understand practical travel distance and route time to the school, then pair that with the oversubscription picture when building a shortlist.

Nursery admissions are typically handled directly by the school rather than via the local authority portal, but timings and availability can shift quickly in small settings, so it is sensible to ask about sessions, start dates, and how places are allocated.

Relationships matter more in small schools because children cannot hide if something is going wrong. The May 2024 inspection report describes staff forging strong relationships quickly, pupils feeling safe, and adults being approachable if worries arise. That is a useful indicator for parents who prioritise emotional security and predictable routines.

SEND communication routes are also clear. The school identifies its SENDCo on the website and encourages families to start with the class teacher before escalating concerns. In practice, that staged approach often supports early intervention without creating an “us and them” dynamic between home and school.

Safeguarding is a threshold issue for any family, and the latest inspection states safeguarding arrangements are effective.

For a small rural primary, the offer is more specific than “lots of clubs”. Wraparound care is part of the core service, and there is also a defined set of enrichment options for pupils beyond the usual timetable.

Forest School is positioned as a whole-school entitlement from age 2 through to Year 6, linked to connection with nature and reflection, rather than being reserved for older pupils only. If your child is at their best when learning is hands-on and outdoors, that can be a real differentiator, especially when paired with the school’s emphasis on reading.

The club list currently highlights a weekly pattern of sports clubs on Wednesdays, with examples including dance, cricket and football, plus Spotlight Club on Fridays for Years 1 to 6. That mix can work well for families who want predictable childcare plus a small number of dependable activity options, rather than a rotating menu that changes every few weeks.

Facilities mentioned in the virtual tour include a library, multiple playground areas, an adventure trail, and dedicated nursery and early years indoor and outdoor zones. In small schools, these “named spaces” can matter as much as headline facilities, because they shape daily movement, breaktimes, and the quality of outdoor learning.

The gates open from 8.45am, with lessons beginning after gates close at 9am, and collection at 3.25pm. Lunch is 12pm to 1pm.

Wraparound provision is clearly published. Breakfast club runs from 7.30am, and after-school club is available daily until 5.30pm.

For travel, this is a rural setting outside Hereford, so most families will plan around car journeys and local road conditions. If you are relying on lift-sharing or buses, confirm real-world timings during the school run window rather than using off-peak estimates.

• A small-school experience cuts both ways. Capacity is 105, with published pupil numbers in the 80s range; many children thrive when everyone knows them well, but others prefer a bigger peer group.

• Church school life is part of the weekly structure. Daily collective worship follows a set pattern, and families uncomfortable with that level of integration should ask detailed questions before applying.

• Competition is real for a small PAN. Reception PAN is 15, and recent demand data indicates oversubscription; treat application deadlines as non-negotiable.

• Nursery is not the same as Reception. Even if a child attends a nursery linked to a school, Reception applications still run through the local authority process and deadlines.

Burley Gate CofE Primary School suits families who want a small, values-led village primary with daily worship routines, strong reading focus, and outdoor learning that runs from nursery through to Year 6. Outcomes sit above England averages, and the school’s published wraparound offer is a practical advantage for working parents. It will suit children who respond well to clear routines and close adult relationships, especially those who benefit from outdoor learning alongside structured literacy.