Yewtree Primary School, Hemel Hempstead

Ofsted's report card from its 9 June 2026 inspection grades Yewtree Primary School on 7 areas: 3 needs attention and 4 urgent improvement. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Needs attention. "Leaders are making important changes in the early years."

Inclusion - Needs attention. "By Year 6, disadvantaged pupils remain far behind because daily teaching is not strong enough to close the gap."

Personal development and wellbeing - Needs attention. "Safeguarding and behaviour issues are having an impact on pupils' wellbeing."

Achievement - Urgent improvement. "Pupils' achievement is too low."

Attendance and behaviour - Urgent improvement. "Leaders have asked external professionals for advice on how to improve attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Urgent improvement. "Leaders know that curriculum and teaching are not working well enough."

Leadership and governance - Urgent improvement. "Recent turbulence in the school has increased workload pressures for everyone."

Safeguarding standards were NOT met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders must address how they and staff stay alert to signs that pupils may be unsafe, using better oversight and curiosity to spot concerns early and act quickly"; "Leaders must ensure their pupil premium strategy is implemented effectively and its impact evaluated rigorously so disadvantaged pupils receive support that improves their learning and wellbeing"; "Leaders should ensure adaptations are applied consistently and work effectively so pupils receive the support they need to overcome barriers to learning and engage confidently"; "Leaders must ensure staff hold high expectations of what pupils should know and be able to do and use evidence-informed approaches so teaching helps pupils gain the knowledge they need"; "Leaders must address how early foundations in reading, writing and mathematics are secured and how gaps are addressed later so pupils are ready for the next stage of their education"; "Leaders must reduce persistent absence and ensure part-time timetables are time-limited, using clear expectations, consistent follow-up and timely escalation to secure full-time attendance"; "Leaders must work with staff to instil clear behavioural expectations in pupils so behaviour improves and effective action is taken when expectations are not met"; "Leaders should improve how pupils are taught and supported to develop social skills so they learn to cooperate, communicate clearly and build positive relationships".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Yewtree Primary School was newly formed in September 2008. We are a two form entry school, with extensive grounds, and have a morning only nursery school. Although Yewtree has been through some challenging times, we believe passionately about children's education and are determined to support every pupil in our care to thrive."

The school runs after-school care until 6:00pm.

In 2025, 52% of Year 6 pupils at Yewtree Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 31% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 79% and 76% in Hertfordshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 62% in reading and 41% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 22 families put Yewtree Primary School as their first choice and 61 named it as one of their preferences, for 29 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 Yewtree Primary School are Jupiter Primary School (0.2 miles, Good, 82% reading, 74% maths); Hammond Academy (0.3 miles, Good, 78% reading, 80% maths); Aycliffe Drive Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 65% reading, 70% maths); and George Street Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 79% reading, 75% maths).

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

42.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 43.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (41%), Asian (15%) and Black (14%).

Yewtree Primary School had 23 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Hemel Hempstead Rail Station, about 2 miles away in a straight line.

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Paul's Church (opposite), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 396 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Yewtree Primary School issued 61 suspensions, 17.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Yewtree Primary School are The Astley Cooper School (0.9 miles), The Adeyfield Academy (0.9 miles), Laureate Academy (1.1 miles) and John F Kennedy Catholic School (1.8 miles).