Hollybush Primary School, Hertford

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a small, welcoming, inclusive school, at the heart of our community. We pride ourselves on our calm, friendly atmosphere which allows all children to flourish and achieve their potential. "Children enjoy school."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:45am and after-school care.

In 2025, 64% of Year 6 pupils at Hollybush Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 44% 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 32% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 15 families put Hollybush Primary School as their first choice and 39 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 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 Hollybush Primary School are Hertford St Andrew CofE Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 61% reading, 50% maths); St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Hertford) (0.3 miles, 68% reading, 71% maths); Mill Mead Primary Academy (0.7 miles); and Bengeo Primary School (1 mile, Outstanding, 82% reading, 79% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Hollybush Primary School.

53 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Hollybush Primary School (as of September 2025): 79% would recommend the school, 87% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (87%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

35.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 10% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (77%) and Mixed (12%).

In 2026, 38 pupils (20%) received SEN support and 17 (8.9%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Hollybush Primary School had 13 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Hertford North Rail Station, about 550 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fordwich Rise (near), 90 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Hollybush Primary School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 4th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Hollybush Primary School issued 13 suspensions, 6.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Hollybush Primary School are The Sele School (0.1 miles), Richard Hale School (1 mile) and Simon Balle All-Through School (1.3 miles).