Shefford C.E. Primary School Review 2026: A High-Performing Village Sanctuary

In the heart of the Lambourn Valley, where the River Lambourn winds through the Berkshire countryside, Shefford C.E. Primary School serves as a quiet academic powerhouse. With a capacity for just 90 pupils, this is a school where the small scale is its greatest asset. The latest performance data reveals a remarkable story: Shefford ranks 928th in England, placing it in the top 10% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking). It holds the prestigious position of being the top-ranked primary school in the Hungerford area.

The school is part of the Chaddleworth St. Andrew’s and Shefford Church of England Federated Schools, a partnership that allows this small village setting to benefit from shared leadership and resources. Mrs. Maria S. de Jesus serves as the Headteacher of the federation, providing a steady hand for a community that values both its Christian heritage and its exceptional academic standards.

The atmosphere at Shefford is defined by its intimacy. With such small year groups, the staff to pupil relationship is exceptionally close. The school’s Christian character is woven into the fabric of daily life, following the Church of England’s emphasis on service and community. The building itself, situated on Wantage Road in Great Shefford, retains the charm of a rural village school while acting as a hub for local families.

Under the federation model, Shefford maintains a distinct identity as a sanctuary for learning. The school motto and values focus on individual flourishing within a collective family. It is common for older pupils to mentor younger ones, a natural byproduct of the mixed age social environment. This sense of belonging is frequently highlighted in official assessments, which note the school's calm, purposeful environment where pupils feel safe and valued.

Shefford C.E. Primary School delivers academic outcomes that far exceed local and England averages. In 2024, an impressive 91% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is significantly higher than the England average of 62%.

The school’s performance at the higher standard is even more striking. More than half of the pupils (52%) achieved the higher standard across reading, writing, and mathematics, compared to an England average of just 8%. This level of achievement places Shefford in the elite tier of primary schools for high-attaining pupils.

In specific subjects, the school shows consistent strength:

• Reading: 100% of pupils reached the expected standard, with an average scaled score of 113.
• Mathematics: 86% reached the expected standard, with 43% achieving a high score.
• GPS (Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling): 86% reached the expected standard.
• Science: 100% reached the expected standard, well above the England average of 82%.

These proprietary FindMySchool rankings, based on the latest official data, confirm that Shefford is the leading primary choice in Hungerford.

The curriculum at Shefford is ambitious, particularly given the small cohort sizes. Teaching is tailored to individual needs, with staff using their deep knowledge of each child to push academic boundaries. In writing, 57% of pupils achieved greater depth, a testament to the rigorous approach to literacy across all year groups.

Because the school is small, teachers often manage mixed age classes, which requires a highly organised and differentiated approach to lesson planning. This structure fosters independent learning, as pupils are encouraged to take ownership of their work while teachers move between different developmental levels within the same room. The school benefits from specialist input through the federation, ensuring that even in a small setting, subjects like music and physical education receive dedicated attention.

Transition from such a small primary to larger secondary environments is managed with care. Most pupils progress to secondary schools within the West Berkshire Local Authority, such as John O'Gaunt School in Hungerford or The Downs School in Compton.

The federation’s strong academic foundations ensure that pupils are well-prepared for the jump to Year 7. Families interested in comparing how local secondaries perform against these primary results can use the FindMySchool Comparison Tool on the Local Hub page to view the local educational landscape.

Securing a place at Shefford can be challenging due to its small capacity. For the most recent intake, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 11 applications for only 5 offers. This represents a subscription proportion of 2.2, meaning there are more than two applicants for every available seat.

Admissions are coordinated by West Berkshire Council. Priority is given to looked after children, siblings, and those living within the designated catchment area of Great Shefford. Given the oversubscription status, parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to understand their likelihood of securing a place.

Wellbeing is the cornerstone of the Shefford experience. The small school environment means that falling through the cracks is nearly impossible. Support systems are integrated into the school day, with a heavy emphasis on the Church of England values of kindness and mutual respect.

The school provides a nurturing environment where emotional literacy is taught alongside academic subjects. For pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the school’s size allows for highly personalised intervention plans. The latest Ofsted monitoring confirms that the school maintains a strong safeguarding culture, where pupils’ voices are heard and their emotional needs are prioritised.

Extracurricular life at Shefford punches above its weight. The school makes full use of its Berkshire surroundings for outdoor learning and sports. Specific programmes often include:

The Gardening Club

Utilizing the school grounds to teach pupils about biodiversity and sustainability.

Creative Arts Workshops

Frequently held in collaboration with the federation partner, Chaddleworth St. Andrew’s, allowing for larger scale choir and drama projects.

STEM Initiatives

Including participation in local primary mathematics challenges where the school’s high-attaining pupils frequently excel.

The school also emphasizes active citizenship, with pupils involved in local village events in Great Shefford, reinforcing the bond between the school and the community.

The school day typically runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Breakfast Club opens from 7:30am until 8:30am at a cost of £3 per day. After school care, known as the after, after school club, runs until 5:00pm each day at a cost of £7 per session. These are booked via the School Gateway App.

Travel is primarily via local roads; given its rural location, most pupils arrive by car or on foot from within the village. Parking is available nearby, though parents are encouraged to be mindful of village traffic during peak drop off times.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state funded primary school, Shefford C.E. Primary School does not charge tuition fees. Education is provided free of charge for all pupils aged 4 to 11. While there are no bursaries or scholarships, the school works closely with West Berkshire Council to support families eligible for Pupil Premium funding, ensuring that all pupils can participate in school trips and extracurricular activities regardless of financial background.

• Small Cohort Dynamics: With year groups as small as five or ten pupils, the social circle is limited. While this creates a family feel, it may not suit children who thrive in larger, more diverse peer groups.
• Oversubscription: Despite its small size, the school is in high demand. With a subscription ratio of 2.2, living within the immediate village is often essential for a successful application.
• Federation Structure: Leadership and some resources are shared with Chaddleworth St. Andrew’s. While this provides stability, it means the Headteacher splits their time across two sites.

Shefford C.E. Primary School is an academic gem hidden in the Berkshire countryside. It offers an almost private tutor feel within the state sector, evidenced by its top tier rankings and incredible 100% success rate in reading and science. It is best suited to families seeking a traditional, faith based village education where academic excellence is expected rather than just hoped for. For those who can secure a place, it offers one of the strongest primary foundations in England.