High Beeches Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 5 to 11
Ofsted: Outstanding

Aldwickbury Crescent, Harpenden, AL5 5SDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

High Beeches Primary School is a primary school in Harpenden for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 3rd of 10 primary schools in Harpenden. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in February 2017.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 28 February 2017, report published 26 April 2017

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 June 2023

Pupils at High Beeches Primary School focus on a different value each half term. Their current focus is on happiness. Pupils display this value from the moment they arrive to the end of the school day. They are, and feel, very safe here. They love to learn and play together. There is a strong family atmosphere at the school. Pupils learn and behave extremely well. They are friendly and polite. They understand that staff have high expectations of them, and they rise to meet these. In lessons, pupils diligently concentrate on their work, as they want to do their best. This includes the youngest children in early years, who get off to an exceptionally good start. Pupils embrace opportunities to take part in the school community. Various leadership roles allow them to develop their character. Pupil librarians learn resilience from the routine task of tidying the library. Digital leaders relish the responsibility of looking after the school's various devices. A well-established buddying system pairs younger pupils with older role models. There is a wide range of trips and workshops for pupils to enjoy. These are carefully planned to enhance pupils' classroom learning. Support for pupils' social and emotional skills is well developed. They love to attend the 'comfort club' at lunchtimes, or to spend time with Bess, the school dog.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

60 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths80%

80%, 18 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths15%

15%, 7 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score113

113, 7 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score112

112, 7 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score113

113, 8 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

420 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals3.3%

3.3%, 23.2 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language12.4%

12.4%, 9.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support10.5%

10.5%, 4.3 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.2%

1.2%, 4.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near High Beeches Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Crabtree Infants' School0.2 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published
Crabtree Junior School0.2 milesOfsted: Outstanding86% met the expected standard
Aldwickbury School0.3 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
The Grove Junior School0.4 milesOfsted: Good82% met the expected standard
The Grove Infant and Nursery School0.4 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published

School details

School type
Community school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
5 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mr Jonathan Walker
Address
Aldwickbury Crescent, Harpenden, AL5 5SD
Local authority
Hertfordshire
URN
117342

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.