Central Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 3 to 11
Report card: Expected standard to strong standard

Derby Road, Watford, WD17 2LXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Central Primary School is a primary school in Watford for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 19th of 29 primary schools in Watford. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in February 2026.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 24 February 2026, report published 28 April 2026

Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.

Inclusion
Strong standard
Curriculum and teaching
Expected standard
Achievement
Expected standard
Attendance and behaviour
Expected standard
Personal development and wellbeing
Strong standard
Leadership and governance
Expected standard
Early years
Expected standard
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 February 2026

Pupils describe their school as a diverse community. They say this makes it a special place to learn. Pupils feel everyone is treated fairly and this is important to them. They learn about their own cultures and languages, as well as those of others. This prepares them well for life in modern Britain. Pupils and staff have positive, respectful relationships. Pupils know adults will support them when they need help, so they feel safe. Bullying is rare. When it does happen, pupils are confident that staff deal with it effectively. Many pupils join the school at different times, not only in the Reception Year. They are warmly welcomed, which helps new pupils to settle quickly. Overall, pupils achieve well. Some progress rapidly from their various starting points. For example, pupils who are new to speaking English learn to read and write it through a well planned and effective approach. Staff check pupils' progress carefully. For example, they notice when a pupil needs extra help in mathematics or support to build their confidence. Pupils learn what they need to do to improve. This helps them take ownership of their learning and gives them a clear sense of their next steps. Pupils say someone is always available to help them if they need it. They find this reassuring. The youngest children in the school play happily together and know the routines well. For example, they know how to collect the resources they need for a task, which builds important independent skills. Across the school, pupils typically behave well. They understand the rules because staff apply them fairly. Pupils learn a wide range of knowledge that matches their needs. For example, they think about careers they may want in the future. They also develop their talents and interests, such as learning a musical instrument. This work prepares them well for their next steps.

What the school should improve

  • Leaders should further strengthen early years teaching so that staff use consistent and effective approaches in order for more children to achieve well by the end of the Reception Year.
  • Leaders should improve the teaching of writing and raise expectations so that pupils attain more highly.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

48 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths69%

69%, 7 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths6%

6%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score106

106, the same as the England average.

Maths, average scaled score105

105, the same as the England average.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

399 pupils on roll, with places for 450

Eligible for free school meals23.3%

23.3%, 3.2 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language74.7%

74.7%, 53.1 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15.3%

15.3%, 0.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.3%

4.3%, 1.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Central Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Watford St John's Church of England Primary School0.3 milesOfsted judgements: Requires improvement to good67% met the expected standard
Field Junior School0.5 milesOfsted: Outstanding85% met the expected standard
Watford Field School (Infant & Nursery)0.5 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standardNot published
Chater Junior School0.5 milesOfsted judgements: Good63% met the expected standard
Chater Infant School0.7 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Sabriye Wright
Address
Derby Road, Watford, WD17 2LX
Local authority
Hertfordshire
URN
117156

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.