Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery, Bushey

In its own words: "Our School Vision is at the heart of everything we do - from preparing lessons, to working with the children, to recruiting new staff, to improving our facilities. The Merry Hill School Vision is a simple statement of the type of school we wish to see."

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Merry Hill, we are extremely proud of the excellent relationships that exist between our pupils, staff, parents, governors and the wider community. The power of partnership that exists between home and school ensures every success in our children. For your child, starting school is an expedition into the unknown."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, tennis, basketball, dance, gardening and art.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 9am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

For September 2026 entry, 43 families put Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery as their first choice and 129 named it as one of their preferences, for 54 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 Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery are Ashfield Junior School (0.1 miles, Good, 84% reading, 88% maths); Bushey Heath Primary School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, 93% reading, 90% maths); Little Reddings Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 57% reading, 53% maths); and Hartsbourne Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 90% reading, 87% maths).

11.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 13 pupils (7.8%) received SEN support and 4 (2.4%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery had 12 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 Bushey Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Police Station Lane (adjacent), 100 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 88 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).

In 2024/25, Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery issued 1 suspension, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery are Bushey Meads School (0.8 miles), The Grange Academy (0.8 miles) and Bentley Wood High School (1.7 miles).