SchoolScoresWatford St John's CofE Primary School
Free school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England/Christian
Part of POPPY ACADEMY TRUST
32 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JJ
01923 255017 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 25 February 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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
77 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 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 13th highest of 19 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 41% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 95% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 13th highest of 19 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 29% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 9th highest of 19 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 91% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 31 parents whose child had been bullied 6th highest of 16 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 75% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 58% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 60 parents who had raised a concern Joint 7th highest of 17 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 55% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 83% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 19 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 4 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 73% of 2,087 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 67% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 10th highest of 19 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Watford. Higher than 38% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88%said yes | 89% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 19%). 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.
67% — 3 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 67% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 13% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 80% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 78% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 72% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 107 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 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 | 53 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 41 |
| Of those, offered a place | 41 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 108 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 0.8
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.
This is a Church of England/Christian school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 24th highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 24% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.2% | 17.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 21st highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 43% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.7% | 3.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 28th highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 18% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.8% | 14.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 16th highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 89% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 48.8% | 21.3%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Lower than 77% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.1% | 5.0%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Lower than 63% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 9.5% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Lower than 56% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 16th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Lower than 48% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 2nd highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 88% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.3 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 25th highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 27% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.4 | 10.4 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 36 state primary schools in Watford. Higher than 80% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 23.2% | 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
- Central Primary School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chater Junior School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lanchester Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2017), confirmed 2024 · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Chater Infant School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed, may be improving 2024
- Field Junior School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2017), confirmed 2024 · 85% met expected standard (KS2)
- Watford Field School (Infant and Nursery) 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention
- Laurance Haines School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2025 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Longwood School 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Knutsford Primary Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Nascot Wood Infant and Nursery School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Watford St John's CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 25 February 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Watford St John's CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 5 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Watford St John's CofE Primary School?
88% of the 77 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Watford St John's CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Watford St John's CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 41 families put Watford St John's CofE Primary School as their first choice for 53 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 41 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 142221.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.