SchoolScoresThe Grove Junior School
Community school · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed
Dark Lane, Harpenden, AL5 1QB
01582 760031 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 7 March 2013.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 8 December 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
88 pupils in this year group.
82% — 18 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 20 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 82% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 19% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 91% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 85% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 86% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 110 | 107 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 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 3rd highest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 14% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.0% | 17.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 16% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 58% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.5% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 9th highest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.1% | 21.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Lower than 98% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 2.9% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Lower than 91% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.9% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 11th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Lower than 44% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.4 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Lower than 35% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.1% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 10th highest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 37% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 19.5 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 9th highest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 64% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.5 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 11th highest of 13 state primary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 32% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 8.2% | 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
- The Grove Infant and Nursery School 0.0 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023)
- High Beeches Primary School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2023 · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Crabtree Infants' School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
- Crabtree Junior School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 86% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Dominic Catholic Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023, before conversion) · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- Harpenden Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 91% met expected standard (KS2)
- Manland Primary School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 91% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sauncey Wood Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Hilda's School 1.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Grove Junior School's Ofsted rating?
The Grove Junior School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 7 March 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 8 December 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Grove Junior School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 82% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 20 points above the England average of 62%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 117258.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 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.