SchoolScoresParkgate Junior School
Community school · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed
Southwold Road, Watford, WD24 7DN
01923 243905 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 21 June 2018.
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 | Outstanding |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 3 July 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding but had some concerns, so its next inspection will be a full graded one.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
90 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Watford comparisons use the 19 of its 36 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 17 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 | Watford | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 8th highest of 19 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 70% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 95% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 7th highest of 19 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 7th highest of 19 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 78% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 97% | 91% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 26 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 2nd highest of 16 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 89% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 58% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 60 parents who had raised a concern 5th highest of 17 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 82% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 83% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 4th highest of 19 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 83% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98%said yes | 89% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Watford figures pool parents at the Watford 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. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
60 pupils in this year group.
58% — 6 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 58% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 12% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 68% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 75% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 73% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 107 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 22nd highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 30% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.3% | 17.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 32nd highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 66% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.8% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 20th highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 87% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 43.7% | 21.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Lower than 81% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.0% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Lower than 80% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.0% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 17th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Lower than 55% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.8 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 19th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Lower than 45% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.8% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 31st highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 31% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.0 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 16th highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 49% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.7 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 33rd highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 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
- Parkgate Infants' and Nursery School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024
- Knutsford Primary Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Beechfield School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cherry Tree Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Grove Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Nascot Wood Infant and Nursery School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Nascot Wood Junior School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 88% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stanborough Primary School 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- The Orchard Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Highwood Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Parkgate Junior School's Ofsted rating?
Parkgate Junior School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 June 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 3 July 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding but had some concerns, so its next inspection will be a full graded one.
How did Parkgate Junior School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 58% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 4 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Parkgate Junior School?
98% of the 90 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Parkgate Junior School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 117162.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.