SchoolScoresHowe Dell Primary School
Community school · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
The Runway, Hatfield, AL10 9AH
01707 263291 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 24 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
124 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Hertfordshire comparisons use the 26 of its 398 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 372 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 5th highest of 26 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 69% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 90% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 3rd highest of 26 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 77% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 91% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 4th highest of 26 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 76% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 85% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 27 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 85% of 329 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 43% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 113 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 26 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 73% of 1,062 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 81% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 21 parents of children with SEND 5th highest of 16 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 84% of 552 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 75% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 7th highest of 26 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 65% of 1,091 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95%said yes | 89% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 28%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Hertfordshire figures pool parents at the Hertfordshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
59 pupils in this year group.
69% — 5 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 69% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 12% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 80% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 75% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 80% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 107 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Hertfordshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 42 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 31 |
| Of those, offered a place | 31 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 111 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.7
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 9th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.3% | 17.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.3% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Higher than 32% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.8% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 7th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Higher than 84% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 38.3% | 21.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Lower than 66% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.5% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Lower than 60% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.2% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Higher than 68% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.1 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Higher than 68% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.8 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 10th highest of 11 state primary schools in Hatfield. Higher than 22% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 5.0% | 15.7%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Green Lanes Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed, may be improving 2023 · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Birchwood Avenue Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hatfield Community Free School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Philip Howard Catholic Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 42% met expected standard (KS2)
- Countess Anne CofE School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2025 · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oak View Primary and Nursery School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- De Havilland Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Ryde School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- Colney Heath Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- St John's Voluntary Aided CofE Primary School, Lemsford 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Howe Dell Primary School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 24 June 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Howe Dell Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 69% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 7 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Howe Dell Primary School?
95% of the 124 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Howe Dell Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Howe Dell Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 31 families put Howe Dell Primary School as their first choice for 42 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 31 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 117220.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.