Victoria Church of England Infant and Nursery School, Berkhamsted

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Victoria Church of England Infant and Nursery School on 7 areas: 3 strong standard and 4 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Overall, pupils are very well prepared for the next stage of education, particularly in the early years."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders promote regular school attendance before children even start at the school."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders in the early years ensure children continually develop, preparing them very well for the next stage of their learning."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum is intentionally designed to meet the needs of all pupils."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify pupils' needs and barriers to learning and/or wellbeing accurately and swiftly."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate and well-informed understanding of the school's context, strengths and areas for development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a well-planned, progressive programme that follows statutory guidance."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to ensure that all teachers make use of the agreed whole-school teaching strategies so that the ambitious curriculum is delivered effectively and consistently"; "Leaders should ensure that all staff have the expertise to enable pupils to access fully what is being taught in lessons and develop as confident and independent learners"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils develop their knowledge of different cultures in the wider community so that they gain a deeper understanding of diversity".

For September 2026 entry, 30 families put Victoria Church of England Infant and Nursery School as their first choice and 90 named it as one of their preferences, for 39 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 Victoria Church of England Infant and Nursery School are Swing Gate Infant School and Nursery (0.4 miles, Good); The Thomas Coram Church of England School (0.6 miles, Good, 93% reading, 83% maths); St Thomas More Roman Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy (0.7 miles, 77% reading, 69% maths); and Greenway Primary and Nursery School (0.7 miles, Good, 93% reading, 83% maths).

2.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 14 pupils (9.9%) received SEN support and 2 (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 autism.

Victoria Church of England Infant and Nursery School had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 10 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Berkhamsted Rail Station, about 490 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Town Hall (opposite), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 87 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).

Victoria Church of England Infant and Nursery School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.