Central Primary School, Watford

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades Central Primary School on 7 areas: 2 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "When pupils join the school, staff follow clear steps to understand each pupil's needs."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The personal development programme is well organised from Nursery through to Year 6."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils make steady progress as they move through the curriculum."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders monitor attendance closely and act quickly when it falls."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Early years - Expected standard. "The early years curriculum is well planned and gives children many chances to develop their communication and language skills."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the school's strengths and set clear priorities for improvement."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should further strengthen early years teaching so that staff use consistent and effective approaches in order for more children to achieve well by the end of the Reception Year"; "Leaders should improve the teaching of writing and raise expectations so that pupils attain more highly".

In its own words: "Our vision is to equip our young people with the skills and knowledge needed to enable them to be lifelong learners who are successful in the 21st century. We aim to do this by providing challenging, creative, inspiring and fully inclusive learning experiences in which everyone's needs are considered, diversity is valued and all achievements are celebrated."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Central Primary School where children are at the centre of everything we do. We are a community school where pupils, staff, parents and the wider community can grow and learn. Our diverse community enables children to celebrate their cultural diver sity with over 50 different languages spoken throughout the school."

The school runs a breakfast club from 8:00am and after-school care, from £5 per day.

In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at Central Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 79% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 63% in reading and 66% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 33 families put Central Primary School as their first choice and 84 named it as one of their preferences, for 42 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Central Primary School are Watford St John's Church of England Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 80% reading, 72% maths); Watford Field School (Infant & Nursery) (0.5 miles, Good); Field Junior School (0.5 miles, Outstanding, 87% reading, 92% maths); and Chater Junior School (0.5 miles, Outstanding, 78% reading, 75% maths).

Central Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

20 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Central Primary School (as of April 2026): 80% would recommend the school, 85% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (90%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).

74.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are Asian (27%), Black (15%) and White British (12%).

The nearest railway station is Watford High Street Rail Station, about 350 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Beechen Grove, 240 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 683 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Central Primary School issued 5 suspensions, 1.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Central Primary School are Watford Grammar School for Girls (0.3 miles), Watford Grammar School for Boys (1 mile), Queens' School (1 mile) and The Grange Academy (1.2 miles).