Coates Way JMI and Nursery School, Watford
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Watford. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in December 2015. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in September 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 25th-highest of the 29 schools in Watford with published results, and 9,801st of 14,452 across England. It was 99% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2015)
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Hertfordshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School in detail
Results
In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School reached the expected standard in reading and 70% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 77% in reading and 83% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School
For September 2026 entry, 32 families put Coates Way JMI and Nursery School as their first choice and 75 named it as one of their preferences, for 28 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 5 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Admissions history and your chances at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Coates Way JMI and Nursery School are St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 71% reading, 79% maths); Mount Pleasant Lane Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 72% reading, 69% maths); The Grove Academy (0.8 miles, Requires improvement, 76% reading, 77% maths); and Alban Wood Primary School and Nursery (0.9 miles, Good, 87% reading, 81% maths).
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.
St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary SchoolMount Pleasant Lane Primary SchoolThe Grove AcademyAlban Wood Primary School and Nursery
What parents say
30 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Coates Way JMI and Nursery School (as of September 2025): 93% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 83% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (100%); the weakest, that the school has high expectations for their child (83%).
Who goes there
26% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (52%), Asian (16%) and Mixed (7%).
In 2026, 31 pupils (13.9%) received SEN support and 17 (7.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Garston (Herts) Rail Station, about 910 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).
3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Kytes Drive (near), 320 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Coates Way JMI and Nursery School issued 8 suspensions, 3.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Coates Way JMI and Nursery School are Saint Michael's Catholic High School (0.4 miles), Future Academies Watford (0.6 miles) and Parmiter's School (0.7 miles).
Saint Michael's Catholic High SchoolFuture Academies WatfordParmiter's School
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Our estimate from how close the nearest similar schools are and how oversubscribed the council's schools are. It is not a published boundary.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from December 2015, 10 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
The school is a friendly and nurturing environment. Pupils' well-being is at the heart of the school's work. Staff are vigilant in picking up any signs that pupils need help, including with their emotional and mental health. The school offers various strategies to support pupils and give them a safe space to talk. These include lunchtime well-being 'drop-ins' and play therapy.
Staff have high expectations of pupils. Pupils follow the school rules and work hard in lessons. In social times, pupils from different year groups play well together. Pupils are keen to help others and take on responsibility. For example, pupils who are 'play leaders' distribute and collect playground equipment, and 'pupil champions' propose ideas to improve the school.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
School leaders and governors have instilled a culture of high standards. They are attuned to the needs of their pupils and committed to ensuring all pupils receive a well-rounded education. Staff enjoy working together as a team. Leaders are mindful of workload and value their staff. For example, they ensure staff get back the time that they give up to provide a wide range of extra-curricular clubs for pupils.
The school has an ambitious and broad curriculum. Pupils study a range of subjects from Years 1 to 6. Staff have thought carefully about what pupils need to learn and in what order. In the early years, curriculum thinking is not as well developed, particularly around how to develop children's language and communication skills. This lack of precision means that sometimes staff do not maximise opportunities to promote children's language and communication.
From Ofsted's September 2024 ungraded inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its December 2015 inspection - up from Requires Improvement.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
17.9%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
30 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 77% to 73% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 83% to 70% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 77% to 63% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
27.9
Avg class size
26.7
Infant (KS1)
29.5
KS2
8
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Coates Way JMI and Nursery School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Coates Way JMI and Nursery School.
- Premier St Catherine Of Siena Wrap Around Care470m away · Not yet graded
- Let's Play @ Watford Woodside930m away · Not yet graded
Term dates
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Hertfordshire. Training (INSET) days, when pupils are not in school, vary by school: check the school's own calendar.
2026 to 2027
- Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026)
- Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027)
- Summer term: Monday 12 April to Thursday 22 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027)
2027 to 2028
- Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027)
- Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028)
- Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Monday 24 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028)
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Coates Way JMI and Nursery School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Coates Way JMI and Nursery School is in Hertfordshire; for families living there:
- Hertfordshire's school travel policy: Read the home to school transport policy
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 17
- Fatal
- 2
- Serious
- 2
- Children hurt
- 6
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 2 fatal, 2 serious and 13 slight.
6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Hertfordshire is 9 (the median across 590 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School
Will you get a place at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Coates Way JMI and Nursery School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Coates Way JMI and Nursery School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Coates Way JMI and Nursery School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Hertfordshire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Hertfordshire got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
99%
Near capacity
209 pupils
210 places
1 spare place in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Watford
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Watford
Across Hertfordshire council
Places available
14,776
Applications
12,543
Got 1st preference
89.1%
Got preferred school
98.4%
All primary applications across Hertfordshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
Inspection History(8)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
31
SEN Support
17
EHC Plans
21.5%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
223
Total Pupils
111
Boys
112
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
12
Teachers
18.6:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£45,662
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,708
Per pupil
£1292k
Total funding
£58k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.6%
Overall absence
14.4%
Persistent absence
187
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School
Questions parents ask about Coates Way JMI and Nursery School
What are SATs results like at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School?
Of the pupils at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 73% reached the expected standard in reading and 70% did so in maths.
What is Coates Way JMI and Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in September 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in December 2015, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Coates Way JMI and Nursery School?
No fixed boundary. When Coates Way JMI and Nursery School is oversubscribed, Hertfordshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School?
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School was full in 2025, at 100% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School?
Classes at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School average 27.9 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Coates Way JMI and Nursery School?
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School has around 223 pupils on roll. 18% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School?
5.6% of sessions were missed at Coates Way JMI and Nursery School in 2024/25. 14.4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Coates Way JMI and Nursery School?
Apply through Hertfordshire's coordinated admissions process, naming Coates Way JMI and Nursery School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Coates Way JMI and Nursery School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists 2 out-of-school clubs within a kilometre of Coates Way JMI and Nursery School: Premier St Catherine Of Siena Wrap Around Care (470m away, registered, not yet graded) and Let's Play @ Watford Woodside (930m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
What are Coates Way JMI and Nursery School's term dates?
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School is a community school, so its term dates are set by Hertfordshire. In 2026 to 2027: Autumn term: Tuesday 1 September to Friday 18 December 2026 (half term Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026); Spring term: Monday 4 January to Thursday 25 March 2027 (half term Monday 15 February to Friday 19 February 2027); Summer term: Monday 12 April to Thursday 22 July 2027 (half term Monday 31 May to Friday 4 June 2027). In 2027 to 2028: Autumn term: Wednesday 1 September to Friday 17 December 2027 (half term Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 2027); Spring term: Tuesday 4 January to Friday 31 March 2028 (half term Monday 14 February to Friday 18 February 2028); Summer term: Tuesday 18 April to Monday 24 July 2028 (half term Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June 2028).
How many road collisions happen near Coates Way JMI and Nursery School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 17 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 2 fatal, 2 serious and 13 slight. 6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Hertfordshire is 9 (the median across 590 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Coates Way JMI and Nursery School?
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School is at Coates Way, Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 9NW.
Sources: Hertfordshire term dates; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)