Steeple Claydon School and Pre-School

About Steeple Claydon School and Pre-School

Steeple Claydon School and Pre-School is a mixed state primary in Buckinghamshire that currently has 231 pupils on roll, which is 21 over its official capacity of 210. That oversubscription is reflected in its admissions data for the 2025/26 intake: the school received 25 applications for 18 places, with all 18 first-preference applicants offered a spot, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.39. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 21.6%, which is notably higher than the national primary average of around 23% and suggests the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. The school also offers nursery provision for children from age 2, and its headteacher is Harry Sperring. With a non-religious character and no sixth form, it’s a straightforward community primary that clearly has strong local demand, particularly from families who live close enough to secure a first-preference place.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 rated it Good across all five categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This was a consistent improvement from its previous 2015 inspection, where early years provision was rated Requires Improvement. However, the school’s Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 are well below the local authority average. Just 33% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Buckinghamshire LA average of 64%. In reading, 60% met the expected standard and 20% reached the higher standard; in writing, 50% met the expected standard and 10% the higher standard; in maths, 43% met the expected standard and 7% the higher standard. The school ranks 133rd out of 137 primaries in Buckinghamshire on the KS2 combined measure, placing it in the bottom 50% nationally.

The school’s facilities include an art studio, ICT suite, library, sports hall, dining hall, gymnasium and a chapel. Sports offered include athletics, swimming, cross country, dance and gymnastics, and there are clubs for eco activities, drama and choir. SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication difficulties, physical disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder, and other difficulties. This suggests the school is well set up to support a wide range of additional needs. Given its oversubscription and below-average results, this school is likely to suit families who prioritise a supportive, inclusive environment and strong pastoral care over headline academic performance, and who live close enough to secure a place. The nursery provision also makes it a convenient choice for families with younger children.

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