Knutsford Primary Academy

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Balmoral Road, Watford, WD24 7EROpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Knutsford Primary Academy is a primary school in Watford for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 13th of 29 primary schools in Watford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 11 January 2023, report published 1 March 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 11 January 2023

Pupils speak with pride about their school and appreciate the wide range of experiences they have access to. Pupils enjoy the chance to explore their wider interests outside of class. For older pupils, this includes the chance to learn new skills, such as pet care and knitting, through the 'Knutsford University'. Pupils are taught to be considerate of each other and to have empathy and respect for their peers. They understand the expectations adults have for behaviour, both in class and at playtimes. Pupils trust adults to resolve any worries or problems that they have, including with bullying. Although bullying is rare, pupils are taught how to spot it. Pupils feel comfortable to write comments in their 'thought books' and know that their teacher will take time to read these and respond. As a result, pupils know they are looked after and feel safe. There is a shared commitment in the school to include everyone, and pupils value this highly. Pupils understand that differences are reasons to celebrate. If pupils need individual emotional or well-being support, there are trained staff at hand to help them. Pupils know that being both mentally and physically healthy is important for their success.

What the school should improve

  • There is some minor variation in the expertise of staff in the early years. This leads to some inconsistency in the quality of learning opportunities that children access independently and through their play. Leaders should ensure that all staff in the provision have secure understanding of how to maximise and extend children's learning using relevant and meaningful activities consistently well.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

60 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths72%

72%, 10 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths8%

8%, the same as the England average.

Reading, average scaled score109

109, 3 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score109

109, 4 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score109

109, 4 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

438 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals9.1%

9.1%, 17.4 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language32%

32%, 10.4 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support7.5%

7.5%, 7.3 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.3%

2.3%, 3.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Knutsford Primary Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Parkgate Junior School0.4 milesOfsted: Outstanding58% met the expected standard
Parkgate Infants' and Nursery School0.5 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Highwood Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good41% met the expected standard
The Grove Academy0.9 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding64% met the expected standard
Beechfield School0.9 milesOfsted: Good72% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
ASPIRE ACADEMIES TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Hennigan
Address
Balmoral Road, Watford, WD24 7ER
Local authority
Hertfordshire
URN
146123

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.