Swanbourne Church of England VA School

About Swanbourne Church of England VA School

Swanbourne Church of England VA School’s headline metrics sit comfortably above the Buckinghamshire local authority average for primary schools. While the LA average for pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined (RWM) is 64%, Swanbourne achieves 72%. That eight-percentage-point gap places the school in the top 50 nationally for this measure and ranks it 38th out of 184 similar schools in the county. The school is also oversubscribed in the sense that it operates at full capacity, with 120 pupils on roll matching its 120-place capacity. With only 7.5% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the intake is less disadvantaged than many local primaries, which may partly explain the above-average results. Still, the school’s performance is strong enough to sit in the top 30% of all primary schools in the South East region, and it holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across both its 2014 graded inspection and its most recent ungraded inspection in 2024.

Academic outcomes are consistently solid across the core subjects. In reading, 90% of pupils met the expected standard, and 38% achieved the higher standard, with an average scaled score of 109. Writing saw 86% at expected and 21% at the higher level. Maths results were slightly lower: 76% at expected and 38% at higher, with an average score of 106. The combined RWM expected rate of 72% is well above the national average for primary schools, and the school ranks 40th out of 137 in Buckinghamshire for this metric. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points. However, the high attainment in reading suggests strong literacy teaching. Ofsted’s most recent inspection, an ungraded visit in May 2024, confirmed that the school remains Good, with leadership and management also rated Good. The previous graded inspection in 2014 gave the same overall rating, so there is a consistent track record of solid provision.

The school offers a broad set of facilities for a primary of its size, including an ICT suite, sports hall, gymnasium, art studios, a sensory room, a forest school area and a chapel. Sports provision covers rounders, gymnastics, cross country, netball, tennis, athletics and swimming, while clubs extend to science, coding, chess, choir, book club and drama. SEND support is well-documented, with provisions for pupils with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, visual impairment and autistic spectrum disorder. This range suggests the school can accommodate a variety of additional needs despite its small roll. For families seeking a Church of England primary with strong academic outcomes and a full set of facilities in a village setting, Swanbourne is a strong local contender. The school is full, so early application is advisable, and its oversubscription status means catchment area and church affiliation may factor into admissions.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Swanbourne Church of England VA School

Helpful Guides for Parents