Puller Memorial, Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School Review 2026: Tiny village primary with a structured approach to reading, plus wraparound care

Published attainment and progress figures are not included in the provided performance results for this school, so this review does not make claims about Key Stage 2 percentages or scaled scores.

What can be evidenced is the academic intent and the mechanisms used to deliver it. The 2022 inspection describes curriculum plans designed to provide an appropriate level of challenge for different pupils, and a training programme aimed at building staff subject expertise. That matters because in very small schools, consistency can depend heavily on a few individuals. A clear written curriculum and structured staff development reduces that risk.

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Reading is the clearest evidenced strength. The inspection report describes a secure foundation for early reading, built on staff training in a phonics approach, closely matched books, and additional catch-up for pupils who need longer to secure phonics. The named Fresh Start programme is referenced as part of that targeted support.

The implication for families is practical. In a small school, you want to know that support is systematic rather than improvised. A structured reading model, with matching books and planned interventions, makes it more likely that a child who needs extra practice gets it early, before gaps widen.

Writing is described as developing effectively, with one specific area still being worked on: handwriting consistency. That is a useful detail, because it signals that expectations are high enough to focus on foundations, not just headline confidence.

Across the wider curriculum, the inspection describes a broad range of subjects and highlights the value pupils place on specialist teaching, including art. The same report also notes that training had been fully implemented in some subjects but not all, with leaders expected to complete the planned programme so staff have strong subject expertise across every area. For parents, the right question at an open event is how this has progressed since 2022, and which subjects have been the focus recently.

As a primary school, the main transition is into Year 7. Hertfordshire families typically apply for secondary places through the local authority process, and the most sensible planning step is to look at realistic travel time from High Cross to likely secondary options around Ware, Hertford, and surrounding villages.

Because this is a small school, transition preparation tends to be as important as destination choice. What you are looking for is evidence of careful handover, readiness for a larger peer group, and support for any child who finds change difficult. Leaders’ emphasis on strong relationships with families, noted in inspection evidence, is relevant here, because it supports smoother transitions.

For Reception entry, applications are coordinated through Hertfordshire, and the published timeline for September 2026 entry is clear:

• Online system opens 03 November 2025

• Deadline 15 January 2026

• National allocation day 16 April 2026

Puller Memorial is its own admissions authority and requires an additional form returned directly to the school, commonly referred to as a Supplementary Information Form. That extra step is easy to miss, so families should treat it as a checklist item early in the process.

Demand indicators show 14 applications for 6 offers for the relevant entry route, which aligns with an oversubscribed picture. In practice, this means families should assume competition and make sure they submit a complete application on time.

The Hertfordshire schools directory page also shows the school’s faith based oversubscription categories used when allocating places, including church attendance categories, siblings, and other applicants, which is typical for voluntary aided Church of England primaries. The right approach is to read the published admission rules carefully, then speak to the school if anything is unclear.

If your plan depends on distance, use FindMySchool’s Map Search to measure your home to the school gate accurately. Even when a school does not publish a simple catchment circle, distance measurement and criteria checking are where most misunderstandings happen.

Several strands of evidence point to a calm, supportive culture. The 2022 inspection describes pupils treating one another with respect, routines being well established, and behaviour being calm and orderly, supported by a restorative approach where behaviour is understood as communication. That is especially relevant for younger pupils, and for children who need adults to help them name feelings and manage conflict rather than just imposing sanctions.

Wellbeing work is not presented as an add-on. The inspection notes that mental health and anxiety were prioritised following pupils’ return after pandemic disruption, and it references participation in the Stormbreak programme, which equips pupils with strategies for coping with mental health difficulties.

Safeguarding is a basic threshold question for any school choice. The inspection states that safeguarding arrangements are effective and describes safeguarding training and systems, including pre-employment checks and clear reporting routes.

In small schools, enrichment often depends on partnerships and routines rather than a long in-house clubs list. Here, there are some named and verifiable strands to look at.

First, wraparound provision is explicit. Breakfast and after school clubs for Reception to Year 6 are offered through Premier Education, with breakfast club from 7:30am and after school club until 5:30pm. This is practical enrichment as much as childcare, because structured activities before and after the day can benefit children who settle best with predictable routines.

Second, reading culture functions as enrichment as well as academics. The inspection references a set of 100 high quality texts used in Key Stage 2, with pupils writing reviews and teachers tracking what has been read. The implication is that children are exposed to a curated range of genres, not only the books they would naturally choose.

Third, the faith and community dimension creates additional opportunities. The SIAMS report refers to a well attended gardening club led by a parent, and a monthly lunchtime church art club linked to the local church partnership. Those are precisely the kinds of activities that often define a small rural school, because they draw on parents and community, not only staff capacity.

Finally, the inspection is candid that wider opportunities such as trips, visits, and clubs existed but were not wide-ranging at that point, and it lists enrichment breadth as an area to strengthen. A sensible question for 2026 admissions is what has changed since then, and how the school now ensures every child has at least one activity that builds confidence beyond lessons.

The core school day at Puller Memorial runs with drop off from 8:40am, lessons starting at 8:50am, and pick up at 3:20pm. Lunch is 12:00 noon to 1:00pm, and morning break is 10:45am to 11:00am.

Wraparound care extends the day from 7:45am to 5:00pm on the school’s published timetable, and the separate wraparound page states breakfast club from 7:30am and after school club until 5:30pm, so families should confirm the exact session times when booking.

For travel, families typically use road links via the A10 corridor, and public transport options in the wider area include bus services connecting Ware, Hertford, and surrounding villages. For rail, Ware and Hertford East stations are the usual reference points for commuting families, with onward travel by car or bus.

• Small school trade-offs. The close-knit feel can suit many pupils; it also means a narrower peer group per year and fewer in-house clubs than large primaries. Enrichment breadth was previously identified as an area to develop.

• Admissions complexity. As a voluntary aided school, the process includes an additional form alongside the local authority application. Missing that step can damage your chances even with an otherwise strong application.

• Leadership change since the last inspection. The 2022 inspection references the then headteacher taking up post in 2020. The current Executive Headteacher started in September 2024, so families should ask how priorities have evolved under the new leadership.

Puller Memorial will appeal to families who want a small, values-led Church of England primary where relationships are central and reading is approached with clear structure. The school’s scale can be a real advantage for children who thrive when adults know them well, and wraparound care adds practical flexibility.

Best suited to families comfortable with the faith-informed admissions framework and willing to engage early with the application process. The main constraint is competition for places, so securing entry is where the difficulty lies.