Longwick Church of England Combined School

About Longwick Church of England Combined School

Longwick Church of England Combined School is a primary school in Buckinghamshire with 173 pupils on roll, well below its capacity of 218. That gap suggests the school has room to grow, but the admissions data tells a different story about demand. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 67 applications for just 30 places, making it oversubscribed with a ratio of 2.23 applicants per place. Only 23 of those offers went to first-preference families, which indicates that while the school is popular locally, it isn't the top choice for everyone. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 17.9%, which is higher than the national primary average of around 23% but still a significant minority. This places Longwick in a middle ground — not a high-poverty intake, but not an affluent bubble either. The school's Church of England character and mixed gender intake are typical for the area, and headteacher Laura Collinson leads a relatively small community compared to the school's physical capacity.

Academically, Longwick's Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 are below the local authority average. Just 34% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared to the Buckinghamshire average of 64%. That puts the school in the bottom 50 nationally, ranking 131st out of 137 primary schools in the county. Individual subject scores tell a more nuanced story: 56% hit the expected standard in reading, 53% in writing, and 50% in maths, but the proportion reaching the higher standard was low — 13% in both reading and maths, and none in writing. The average scaled scores were 101 in reading and 99 in maths, both around the national average of 100. Ofsted's most recent inspection in November 2023 rated the school Good overall, with a standout Outstanding grade for personal development. Behaviour and attitudes, leadership, and the quality of education all scored Good, while early years provision was also rated Good. The previous inspection in 2013 had also awarded Good overall, so the school has maintained a consistent standard.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a forest school, sensory room, chapel, ICT suite, and playing fields. Sports provision covers football, athletics, tennis, netball, cricket and gymnastics, while clubs include chess, art, eco and gardening. SEND support is available for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social and emotional mental health needs, and speech, language and communication issues. There is no nursery or sixth form, and it is not a boarding school. For families considering Longwick, the key trade-off is clear: the school is oversubscribed and well-regarded for personal development, but its academic outcomes lag significantly behind the Buckinghamshire average. It will suit parents who prioritise a Church of England ethos, a small-school feel, and strong pastoral care over top-tier exam results. The forest school and sensory room also make it a practical choice for children who benefit from outdoor learning or sensory support.

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