We are well served in terms of education for our children. Located in the village of Spaldwick are two establishments – Spaldwick Community Primary School and Playtimes Playgroup. These are both rated as “Good” by Ofsted. Older children in the village are served by Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon (also rated as “Good”). Kimbolton School, an independent school, is located in the nearby village of Kimbolton.
Spaldwick Community Primary School
View the Spaldwick School website
Spaldwick Community Primary School is located in Royston Avenue, Spaldwick. We are very proud of our school and it plays a key role in the local community. Being located in village, pupils are able to safely walk to school. The school has a new headteacher, Mrs Louise Worrell.
Spaldwick School has about 170 pupils, aged four to 11, in discreet year group classes. In its last full inspection (May 2013), Ofsted rated Spaldwick Community Primary School as “Good”. In its latest short inspection, in May 2017, the school continued to be rated as “Good”.
“The school is a vibrant, happy place. Parents are very positive about the school. Safeguarding and the welfare of pupils are of the utmost importance to all staff members and governors. Children make good progress in a caring and nurturing environment.”
You can view or download the latest Ofsted inspection report by clicking on the link below:
Spaldwick School Ofsted inspection report 2017
To get in contact with Spaldwick School, telephone the school office on (01480) 890371.
Playtimes Playgroup
View the Playtimes Playgroup website
Playtimes Playgroup is an established playgroup, located within Spaldwick, which moved to these premises in 2002. It has a purpose-built building with a large playroom and adjacent outdoor play area.
In its latest 2019 Ofsted inspection, Playtimes was rated as “Good”. According to Ofsted, “Children make good progress with their learning.”
“Children enjoy close relationships with the staff, who are caring and friendly.”
To view the complete Ofsted 2019 inspection report, click on the following link:
Playtimes Playgroup Ofsted 2019 inspection report
Playtimes Playgroup registered in 2002 and, in 2014, merged with the Spaldwick out-of-school club. It is operated as a registered charity by a voluntary committee.
Opening times are Monday to Friday all year round with the exception of two weeks in the summer and one week at Christmas. During term time, the out-of-school care operates from 8am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm and playgroup sessions are 9am to 3pm. In school holidays, the playgroup is open from 8am to 6pm. Eight staff hold childcare qualifications at level 1, 2 or 3. The manager has Early Years Professional status.
Hinchingbrooke Senior School
View the Hinchingbrooke School website
While there are two senior schools in the Huntingdon area (St Peter’s School and Hinchingbrooke School), Spaldwick is in the catchment area of Hinchingbrooke School.
Hinchingbrooke School is located on the outskirts of Huntingdon and has about 1931 pupils. The school is set in acres of beautiful grounds, adjoining a country park. Hinchingbrooke House – home to the Sixth Form – was formerly the family home of the Cromwells and of the Earls of Sandwich.
Pupils from Spaldwick travel to Hinchingbrooke School by school bus.
The school has had specialist sports status since 2005 and has achieved the Sports Mark and Investors in People standard.
In its recent 2016 Ofsted inspection, the school received a “Good” rating overall. Ofsted said, “There has been a marked improvement in provision and outcomes since the last inspection”.
The report continued, “GCSE results in 2015 were significantly better than the previous year, with overall standards rising to well above the national figure.” Overall, Ofsted said that results in English, mathematics and humanities were “particularly strong”, with pupils achieving higher standards, overall, than nationally.
The report praised improved teaching overall. “The quality of teaching has improved since the previous inspection and, where substantive staff are in post, is consistently good and often outstanding.”
The behaviour of pupils was seen to be a significant strength, with most pupils conducting themselves “impeccably”. You can view the full report by clicking on the following link:
View the 2016 Ofsted Report on Hinchingbrooke School
Kimbolton School (independent)
Kimbolton School is a thriving independent school, located in the nearby village of Kimbolton. Currently, about 25 young people from Spaldwick attend the school. Normal entry points are Lower Prep (age 4+), Upper Prep (age 9+), Senior School (First Form age 11+ and Third Form age 13+) and Sixth Form (age 16+). There is a school bus from Spaldwick (which is chargeable), although many pupils travel to the school by car, with the journey of 4.5 miles taking only 10 minutes.
Kimbolton School offers scholarships and assistance with fees, in the form of bursaries (for the senior school only). Discounts of up to 100% of tuition fees are dependent on the financial, compassionate or other pertinent circumstances of applicants.
In its latest November 2017 inspection, the Independent Schools Inspectorate stated:
“The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is good. Progress is good in the senior school and excellent in the preparatory school. The quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent.”
To read the report in full, click on the following link:
View the 2017 ISI inspection report for Kimbolton School
The review of the school by the Good Schools Guide says:
“This small school, housed in beautiful surroundings, appears to be a well kept secret, much to some parents’ bemusement. ‘Why is it not more well known?’ said by many. We get the impression that there’s no need; the school is virtually full, has an excellent reputation locally and is providing a good all round education for local families wanting to use the private sector. Pupils can spend their whole education at Kimbolton enjoying the benefits of a happy environment, small class sizes and excellent pastoral care. Not flashy but classy. Those parents in the know appreciate that a Kimbolton education is money well spent. ”
Every year, some Spaldwick pupils make the move from Hinchingbrooke School to Kimbolton School to attend the Sixth Form. To view or download the Kimbolton Sixth Form Prospectus, click on the link below:
View the Kimbolton School Sixth Form Prospectus (PDF)
Other schools further afield
Occasionally, students from Spaldwick and surrounding villages choose to study further afield, although prospective parents and pupils should consider the additional travelling times beyond our local schools. There is a guided bus from Huntingdon to Cambridge.
Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge has an outstanding academic reputation, ranking within the top three Sixth Form colleges in the country. Independent schools in the area include The Perse School (in Cambridge) and Oundle School.
At Primary level, Buckden Church of England Primary School – located 7.7 miles from Spaldwick – received an ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted rating in July 2015.
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