Cowley Hill School, Borehamwood

Ofsted's report card from its 13 January 2026 inspection grades Cowley Hill School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and other disadvantaged pupils, generally achieve well, including in national tests."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders take effective action to improve pupils' attendance."

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

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years know and follow the school's rules and routines, such as waiting patiently for their turn on bikes and scooters."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Systems for identifying pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are robust."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, including governors, have a shared vision for the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils learn an appropriate relationships and sex education and health education programme."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should build on the strengths in teaching by ensuring that staff consistently check pupils' understanding and adapt teaching so that activities are highly effective in helping pupils learn the curriculum securely and are precisely matched to their needs".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Should you have further queries, please telephone, email or arrange a visit to our school - you will be most welcome."

In 2025, 81% of Year 6 pupils at Cowley Hill School reached the expected standard in reading and 84% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 76% in reading and 69% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 33 families put Cowley Hill School as their first choice and 108 named it as one of their preferences, for 53 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 Cowley Hill School are Woodlands Primary School (0.1 miles, Good, 72% reading, 86% maths); St Teresa Catholic Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 70% reading, 77% maths); Parkside Community Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 74% reading, 74% maths); and Meryfield Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 71% reading, 67% maths).

Cowley Hill School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

62 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Cowley Hill School (as of April 2026): 76% would recommend the school, 79% say their child is happy there and 38% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (81%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (38%).

48.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (39%), Asian (9%) and Mixed (8%).

In 2026, 78 pupils (18.8%) received SEN support and 6 (1.4%) 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 moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest railway station is Elstree & Borehamwood Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

14 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Caishowe Road (adjacent), 110 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 327 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Cowley Hill School issued 17 suspensions, 4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Cowley Hill School are Hertswood Academy (0.3 miles), Elstree Screen Arts Academy (0.6 miles) and Yavneh College (0.8 miles).