Lanchester Primary School
Watford, WD17 3HD · Hertfordshire · primary school
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94th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 7.6/10 against 4,242 of them, against 7.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 73.0 · 73 | 40% | 2.93 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 15.0 · 84 | 25% | 2.09 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Lanchester Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 73.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 15.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2025. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (7.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Chess, Mad Science, and Yoga clubs.
Getting in
The published school roll is 298 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 who do not reach the expected standard in maths? What does a typical day look like for a child joining the Mad Science club?
What Ofsted said about Lanchester Primary School
Overview
Lanchester Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a “caring and friendly community” where pupils are happy, respectful, and confident in seeking help from adults. Leaders provide a “right balance of effective challenge and support,” driving rapid improvement while remaining “highly considerate of staff workload and well-being.”
Strengths
- The curriculum is logically sequenced, helping pupils “build their knowledge over time” from Reception onwards.
- Staff deliver a strong reading programme, establishing a “love of reading” with consistent phonics teaching and targeted support for those falling behind.
- Behaviour management is effective, with a clear policy that has driven a “significant reduction in behaviours that previously led to pupil suspensions.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs “identified and assessed promptly,” allowing for effective teaching adaptations.
- A newly formed junior leadership team acts as “the voice for those pupils who don’t yet have the confidence to speak out for themselves.”
Areas to improve
- “Teaching activities do not always help pupils to practise and secure the knowledge and skills they need,” sometimes hampering engagement.
- The school should ensure teachers receive the expertise required so that “teaching activities build knowledge and skills consistently well across the curriculum.”
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 | 47% |
| 2023/24 | 51% |
| 2024/25 | 73% |
| 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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