Haywood Grove School
St Agnell's Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7BGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Haywood Grove School is a special school in Hemel Hempstead for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2014.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 1 October 2014, report published 24 October 2014
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 27 February 2024
Pupils enjoy attending Haywood Grove School. Many arrive having experienced difficulties in their education before. Staff take time to get to know and understand each pupil's needs. They build positive and trusting relationships with pupils. Pupils say adults listen to them and they are well cared for. Pupils are happy and safe. The school has high expectations for how pupils behave. All pupils have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. At times pupils do have difficulties regulating their emotions. Staff manage these occasions well. Calm voices and consistent approaches help pupils to settle. They soon return to their work and learning. Pupils develop an understanding of what being a good friend means. They are proud to wear well-earned coloured wristbands. Pupils recall how they have demonstrated being a 'community kid' or a 'safety superhero'. This helps to build their self-esteem and confidence. Pupils benefit from strong links between the school and home. The school is on hand to support parents and carers with advice. This ensures that there is an effective team supporting every pupil. Parents are positive about their child's experience of school. They use words and phrases such as 'life changing' and 'phenomenal' to describe these experiences.
What the school should improve
- The school's information regarding the implementation of the curriculum is not used sufficiently well. This means that staff do not fully understand how they can support pupils' needs. The school should ensure that the evaluation of the curriculum informs staff training so that all pupils achieve as they should.
- A few staff do not have a secure understanding of making appropriate pedagogical choices when delivering the school's curriculum plans. This means that not all pupils fully benefit from what is planned for them. The school should ensure that staff receive the support they need to deliver curriculum plans well so that pupils make the strongest progress possible.
- Governors have not developed the knowledge and skills to challenge school leaders effectively in all aspects of their work. This means they do not have a deep knowledge about the impact of the curriculum. Governors should ensure they undertake the training they need to deepen their understanding so that leaders are fully challenged and held to account.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
16 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
62 pupils on roll
Schools near Haywood Grove School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redbourn Park School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| The Collett School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Woodfield School | 2 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| St Luke's School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Batchwood School | 5 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 11.8 |
School details
- School type
- Community special school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 5 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Catherine Smith
- Phone
- 01442250077
- Address
- St Agnell's Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7BG
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- URN
- 131319
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.