Coates Way JMI and Nursery School
Watford, WD25 9NW · Hertfordshire · primary school
Check the area around this school
318th of 337 primary schools in Hertfordshire we can score, 398 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,670 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2/10 among them, against 2.0/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 47.0 · 15 | 62% | 0.92 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 38% | 1.13 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 47.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2 out of 10 among them, against 2.0 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join chess, food technology, and orienteering clubs, alongside lunchtime wellbeing and enrichment cooking sessions. Sports include dance, ball sports, and the daily mile. Music and arts features choir, recorder, Djembe drums, flute, guitar, and termly concerts. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 223 pupils against a stated capacity of 236. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to progress from the 47.0% expected standard to the higher standard? What specific strategies are used to improve outcomes in the similar-intake comparison group? How does the after-school club integrate with the lunchtime wellbeing activities?
What Ofsted said about Coates Way JMI and Nursery School
Overview
The report describes the school as a “friendly and nurturing environment” where “pupils’ well-being is at the heart of the school’s work.” Leaders have instilled a culture of high standards, resulting in a broad curriculum and strong pupil outcomes in core subjects like mathematics and reading.
Strengths
- Staff are “vigilant in picking up any signs that pupils need help,” offering strategies such as “lunchtime well-being ‘drop-ins’” and play therapy.
- Pupils demonstrate a “strong understanding” of taught content, particularly in mathematics where they use language “confidently to explain their reasoning.”
- The school provides effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring they are “fully included in all aspects of school life.”
- Behaviour is well managed, with pupils who are “eager to learn” and show a “willingness to ask questions and discuss their ideas.”
- Leaders value staff, ensuring they “get back the time that they give up to provide a wide range of extra-curricular clubs.”
Areas to improve
- In some foundation subjects, curriculum changes are “not fully embedded,” and subject leaders need further development to tailor new schemes to pupils’ needs.
- The early years curriculum for “communication and language” is “not as strong as in other areas,” with staff lacking precision in supporting language development.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 55% |
| 2023/24 | 70% |
| 2024/25 | 47% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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