Burghfield St Mary's C.E. Primary School
Voluntary controlled primary school in Reading (West Berkshire).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
iWritten by WhatSchool from official school data (Get Information about Schools, DfE and Ofsted).Our school dates back to 1837 when it was opened as a National School occupying premises adjacent to the Village green. This original thatched building still survives as a private house. Soon after it was opened the school was united with the Oxford Diocese and has retained the character of a Church School ever since.
In 1872 Mr William Benyon, a local landowner, constructed the building, which now houses the school. Despite an extensive fire and some alterations over the years, the main building retains much of its Victorian character.
Our SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT and AIMS at Burghfield St Mary's we create a caring Christian learning environment that inspires each individual in the school community to fulfil their unique potential and become a responsible, concerned and active member of God's world. (based on Philippians 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ because he gives me strength.')
Our school dates back to 1837 when it was opened as a National School occupying premises adjacent to the Village green.
Enrichment
9 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Boxing
- Choir
- Cooking
- Dance
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Music
- Netball
- Rugby
Awards
1 awardiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Nurturing Schools AwardRecognised award
Key facts
- URN
- 109956
- Type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Nursery
- No Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- West Berkshire
- Constituency
- Reading West and Mid Berkshire
- Setting
- Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city
Governing body (9 current, 4 former)
Maintained school governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Jane Bell | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Joanne Lambdon Former | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2020 · term ended 2026 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Deborah Marsden | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Mrs Melissa Wilkinson | Governor | Foundation/sponsor members | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Mrs Zoe Williams | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Kathryn Thorne | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Rebecca Hall | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Headteacher Karen Carmichael | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2023 |
| Mrs Gemma Toms | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Jane Bell | Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr Matthew Lappin Former | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2023 · term ended 2026 |
| Mrs Geri Briggs Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
| Mr Steve Dunham Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record