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 results place it within the elite tier of primary schools in England, a position it has held consistently. 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, fostering a strong sense of mutual trust and respect.
The academic outcomes at Haughton St Giles are exceptional. In 2024, 100% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined. This is a remarkable figure when compared to the England average of 61% (FindMySchool proprietary ranking).
Performance at the higher standard is equally striking. Over half of the pupils achieved the higher standard in core subjects, with 70% reaching this level in reading and 90% in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. In specific subjects, the scaled scores are high across the board:
Ranked 61st in England for primary outcomes, Haughton St Giles outperforms 99.6% of schools in the country. 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
100%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
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
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
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 2024, compared to the England average of 82%.
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 2026 entry, the application window closes on 15 January 2026. 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
Apps 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 2024, it ranked 61st in England for primary outcomes. It achieved a 100% success rate in pupils reaching the expected standard for reading, writing, and math, significantly outperforming the England average.
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 2024, the school achieved an average scaled score of 112 in reading and 112 in mathematics, both well above the England averages of 105 and 104.
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.
Get in touch with the school directly
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