Swing Gate Infant School and Nursery

About Swing Gate Infant School and Nursery

Swing Gate Infant School and Nursery is a state primary school in Dacorum, Hertfordshire, catering for children aged 3 to 7. In the local authority’s primary school landscape, it sits among 401 schools of the same type, 45 of which hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. While Swing Gate itself is rated Good, its closest peers by ranking score include Little Gaddesden Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School and Harvey Road Primary School, both scoring 100, and The Russell School at 97. The school is notably oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 92 applications for 60 total places, with 33 first-preference offers made. That works out at 2.3 applications per place, a clear sign of local demand. With just 158 pupils against a capacity of 180, it is not at full roll, yet the oversubscription suggests families are keen to secure a spot here, particularly for the early years provision the school offers from age three.

Academically, Swing Gate’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022 confirmed it remains a Good school, a rating it has held consistently. The graded inspection dates back to 2012, when overall effectiveness was also judged Good, with leadership and management rated Outstanding. In that 2012 inspection, early years provision scored 3 (Good) and behaviour and attitudes were not separately graded. The 2022 ungraded inspection found leadership and management to be Outstanding once again, while the school continues to serve its infant-age pupils without publishing Key Stage 2 SATs results, as children leave at age 7. For context, the Hertfordshire local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment is 64, though Swing Gate’s pupils move on before that benchmark. The school’s percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals is 6.3, below the national average, and its SEND provisions cover moderate learning difficulty, speech and language needs, autistic spectrum disorder, and social, emotional and mental health support.

The school offers a practical range of facilities including a library, playing fields, a forest school, art studios, a sports hall, and an outdoor playground. Sports on offer include athletics, gymnastics, rounders, football, cross country, and cricket, while clubs extend to gardening, choir, film club, and coding. With a nursery on site, it suits families looking for a single setting from age three up to Year 2, after which children typically move to a junior school. The oversubscription ratio of 2.3 means applying early and as a first preference is wise. Swing Gate is a non-denominational school with no religious character, and its chapel facility suggests a historic link to the local community. For parents in Dacorum seeking a Good-rated infant school with strong leadership and a broad extracurricular offer, Swing Gate is a solid, in-demand choice.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Swing Gate Infant School and Nursery

Helpful Guides for Parents