Cowley Hill School, Borehamwood
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 8 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Cowley Hill School creates an inclusive, welcoming environment where pupils say they belong and feel safe. The school excels at identifying and supporting pupils with additional needs, offering one-to-one help when needed. Teachers focus strongly on developing children's vocabulary and reading skills from the early years onwards, helping pupils build confidence and progress steadily through the curriculum.
Key Strengths
- Pupils achieve above the national average in mathematics at key stage 2, with strong phonics screening results
- Calm, orderly school environment with positive pupil behaviour and effective management of serious incidents
- Well-structured curriculum with strong focus on vocabulary development and reading, particularly in early years
- Effective support systems for pupils with additional needs, including one-to-one teaching and individual plans
- Wide range of clubs and enrichment activities matched to pupils' interests and needs
Areas for Improvement
- Writing progress needs to be more consistent and faster across the school
- Some pupils' independence in learning activities is limited by how tasks are designed
- Assessment and teaching adjustments vary in subjects other than reading, writing and mathematics
- Staff occasionally don't adjust teaching to match pupils' current level of understanding
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has an open and positive culture of safeguarding where all legal requirements are met, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Creative and artistic clubs, cultural trips, online safety sessions for pupils and parents
Cowley Hill School is a primary school in Borehamwood that meets expected standards across all areas. The school has established an open and positive culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, pupils behave well, and achieve steadily through a carefully planned curriculum.
At a Glance
30.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 76% to 81%. Maths has improved from 69% to 84%. Writing has improved from 69% to 77%.
Class Sizes
27.3
Avg class size
28.5
Infant (KS1)
28.8
KS2
12
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
89%
Available places
416 pupils
465 capacity
49 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Borehamwood
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Borehamwood
Admissions Demand - Hertfordshire
Places available
14,951
Applications
12,834
Got 1st preference
88.0%
Got preferred school
98.2%
Primary admissions across Hertfordshire (2025/26)
Inspection History(7)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.78211%
Overall absence
16.48352%
Persistent absence
364
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Cowley Hill School
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