The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Last reviewed: February 2026 · Rankings and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
In the heart of the quiet Staffordshire village of Haughton, Haughton St Giles CofE Primary Academy provides an educational experience that punchily contradicts its modest size. Serving approximately 101 pupils, this one-form entry school occupies a central role in village life, located just off the A518 between Stafford and Gnosall. While its exterior and village setting suggest a traditional, gentle pace, its recent academic performance tells a story of significant ambition.
The school's 2024-25 / 2025 dataset places it within the elite tier of primary schools in England, with an academic rank of 87th out of 14,978 ranked primaries. Under the leadership of Headteacher Victoria Hulme, who has led the school since 2017, the academy has successfully balanced its Christian ethos with a drive for academic excellence that now places it among the highest-performing primaries in the country.
The atmosphere at Haughton St Giles is defined by its small scale and its Church of England heritage. With a capacity of just 120 and a current roll of 101, the school operates with a family feel where staff across all year groups know every pupil by name. The school building on Prince Avenue is well-integrated into the local community, benefiting from a large playing field and proximity to the village church.
As part of the St Bartholomew’s CE Multi Academy Trust, the school enjoys a wider support structure while maintaining its distinct rural identity. The St Giles name and Christian values are central to daily life; collective worship and a focus on kindness form the bedrock of the culture. The latest Ofsted inspection in March 2023 confirmed that pupils behave well at all times and look out for one another, encouraging a strong sense of mutual trust and respect.
The academic outcomes at Haughton St Giles are exceptional. In the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, 90% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This remains a remarkable figure and sits alongside a very high FindMySchool academic ranking.
Performance at the higher standard is still a strength in specific subjects. In the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, 20% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, with 90% reaching the high standard in reading and 90% in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. In specific subjects, the scaled scores are high across the board:
Ranked 87th academically out of 14,978 ranked primaries in England, Haughton St Giles remains within the top 1% nationally on this measure. These results indicate that despite its small cohort size, the school is delivering some of the most effective primary instruction in England.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
Reading, Writing & Maths
93%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
Ranking figures update automatically as our data refreshes and are the definitive source. Any rankings quoted in the review text were accurate when it was written and may since have changed.
Teaching is characterized by high expectations and a structured curriculum designed to build on prior knowledge. The March 2023 Ofsted report confirmed that leaders have carefully designed the curriculum, though in a small number of subjects, the building of knowledge could be even more consistent.
The school recently lowered its age range to accept three-year-olds into a new pre-school starting in January 2025. These children are welcomed into the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) alongside Reception pupils, benefiting from a seamless transition. Early reading is a clear strength; pupils develop a love of books from the start of their Reception year, and teachers quickly identify and support any pupils who struggle.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
The school’s Church of England character is the driving force behind its pastoral care. "Nurture" is a central theme, and the school provides a safe environment where emotional development is given as much weight as academic progress.
For children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the small size is a distinct advantage. The SENDCo ensures that support is well-tailored, and inspectors noted that pupils feel safe and valued as individuals. Staff deal with any bullying concerns effectively, and the school maintains a strong culture of safeguarding.
Extracurricular life focuses on developing the whole child. The school makes excellent use of its large outdoor playing field for sports and physical education. Specific clubs offered include:
Annual highlights include church services at St Giles and various enrichment days led by external companies. These activities provide opportunities for children to thrive outside the core academic subjects.
STEM subjects are taught through a model that encourages children to ask questions. The science curriculum is particularly strong, with 100% of pupils reaching the expected standard in the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset.
Practical experiments and project-based learning are used to bring science and mathematics to life. The school utilizes its rural setting to provide hands-on learning opportunities that connect the classroom to the natural environment.
Securing a place at Haughton St Giles is challenging. In 2025, the school was oversubscribed, with 15 places allocated and several applications refused. Admissions are coordinated by Staffordshire County Council. Priority is given to looked-after children, siblings, and those within the catchment area of Haughton.
For September 2027 entry, the application window closes on 15 January 2027, with offers issued on 16 April 2027. Parents are encouraged to visit during open mornings to view the school with the Headteacher. Families should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical offer distances.
Applications
37
Total received
Places Offered
15
Subscription Rate
2.5x
Applications per place
Most pupils transition to secondary schools in the Stafford area, such as King Edward VI High School. The school maintains strong links with local secondaries to ensure a smooth transition. Year 6 pupils participate in transition days, and staff from secondary schools visit the academy to meet with the students.
The school offers in-house wraparound care. The "Before School Club" runs from 7:45am to 9:00am, and the "After School Club" runs from 3:30pm to 6:00pm.
Transport is primarily by foot or car for village residents. There is limited parking near the school gates on Prince Avenue; many parents use nearby village locations for drop-offs to manage traffic flow.
Haughton St Giles CofE Primary Academy is a standout performer that offers the intimacy of a traditional village school with academic results that are among the best in England. It suits families seeking a nurturing, faith-based environment where academic achievement is pursued with rigour. The main challenge is securing a place; for those who do, the educational outcomes are exceptional.
Yes, it is an elite-performing school. In the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, it ranks 87th academically out of 14,978 ranked primaries in England. It achieved a 90% success rate in pupils reaching the expected standard for reading, writing, and math.
The school opened a pre-school for three-year-olds in January 2025. It offers 15 places, and children can join in the term after they turn three. However, a place in the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place.
Yes, the school is consistently oversubscribed. For the 2025 intake, all 15 places were filled, and several applicants were refused. It is a very popular choice for families in the Stafford area.
Academic performance is outstanding. In the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, the school achieved an average scaled score of 113 in reading and 113 in mathematics.
The school provides its own Before and After School Club. The morning session starts at 7:45am, and the afternoon session runs until 6:00pm. These are staffed by school personnel.
Most pupils progress to local secondary schools in Stafford, including King Edward VI High School. The academy has established transition programmes to support this move.
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Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
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