Cherry Tree Primary School, Watford Review 2026: Outdoor learning, high expectations, and a clear set of promises

Three short statements shape daily life here, Aim High, We Are Kind, We Are Brave. They show up not only in assemblies, but also in how pupils talk about learning, friendships, and responsibility. The most recent inspection describes pupils as thriving, with positive relationships and sensible behaviour.

Academically, results are a clear strength. In 2024, 79% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with an England average of 62%. The higher standard figure is also striking, at 25.33% versus an England average of 8%. For families prioritising both attainment and day to day culture, this is a compelling combination.

There is a strong “whole school” feel, partly because the school uses shared language and routines across year groups. The promises around kindness, bravery, and aiming high are set out explicitly, with practical examples of what pupils are encouraged to do, such as working together, taking sensible risks, and persisting when learning is hard.

Pupil voice is structured rather than symbolic. A Children’s Parliament meets in mixed house groups twice every half term, with Year 6 pupils feeding back to leaders, and younger pupils contributing via class discussions. That creates a clear pathway from “ideas” to “decisions”, which is the difference between participation and a token council.

Pastoral systems are unusually tangible. Pupils are taught to use “network hands” to identify trusted adults, and the inspection record describes pupils as confident about seeking help, including around bullying concerns.

Nursery provision, integrated rather than bolted on

Nursery is part of the school’s identity, not an add on. The Nursery class is called Berries, and school wraparound care explicitly includes nursery age children, with staffing capacity noted as more limited for the youngest children.

If you are comparing nursery options, treat this as a school-led route into Reception, but not a guaranteed one. Attendance in nursery does not automatically secure a Reception place, and families still need to apply through the normal Reception admissions process.

Cherry Tree Primary School, Watford sits above England average for primary outcomes, with a particularly strong “higher standard” profile.

• Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) in 2024: 79% (England average: 62%)

• Higher standard (reading, writing, maths) in 2024: 25.33% (England average: 8%)

• Science expected standard in 2024: 83% (England average: 82%)

• Average scaled scores in 2024: Reading 106; Maths 108; GPS 108

On the FindMySchool primary outcomes measure, the school is ranked 2,945th in England and 11th in Watford (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This places it comfortably within the top quarter of schools in England for the measure used.

Parents comparing nearby options can use the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool to line up these figures side by side, especially useful when schools have similar inspection grades but different attainment patterns.

Outdoor learning is not a slogan here; it is used to frame curriculum experiences and to build knowledge through big questions, with the inspection evidence highlighting how pupils learn about environmental issues through the outdoor learning programme.

Reading is treated as a deliberate whole school priority. Phonics begins in early years, books are matched to the sounds pupils know, and additional support is built in for pupils who find early reading harder. The practical implication for families is that support is likely to be structured and early, rather than waiting for gaps to widen.

Where the school is still developing is also clear. The inspection record notes that some curriculum areas were newer in design at the time, and that staff subject knowledge needed strengthening in parts of the curriculum where approaches had recently changed.

For a state primary, Cherry Tree provides unusually specific information about Year 6 destinations. In the September 2024 transfer, pupils moved on to a wide spread of local secondaries, including Westfield Academy (15), Queens’ School (8), Future Academies Watford (8), Rickmansworth (7), Bushey Meads School (4), Parmiter’s School (4), and smaller numbers to Watford Grammar School for Boys and Watford Grammar School for Girls, among others.

That mix matters. It suggests families use the full range of routes across South West Hertfordshire, including comprehensive and partially selective options. The school’s own guidance for families flags that some secondary choices require extra steps, such as 11 plus registration and, for certain schools, supplementary information forms.

If you are planning ahead for secondary, Hertfordshire’s Year 7 application cycle for September 2026 entry opens in September 2025, closes 31 October 2025, and allocations are made on 2 March 2026.

This is a popular school in admissions terms. For the most recent Reception admissions data provided here, there were 160 applications for 59 offers, and the entry route is marked oversubscribed, with 2.71 applications per place. That is the headline for families: demand is materially higher than supply.

For Reception entry into September 2026, Hertfordshire’s coordinated timeline is published as:

• Applications open: 3 November 2025

• Deadline: 15 January 2026

• National offer day: 16 April 2026

• Acceptance deadline: 23 April 2026

As an academy in Inclusive Multi Academy Trust, oversubscription is handled through a rules based order of priority (for example, looked after children, exceptional medical or social need, siblings, children of staff, then nearest school and distance).

If you are weighing your chances, the FindMySchoolMap Search is helpful for understanding how “nearest school” and distance can work in practice, especially when multiple schools sit close together.

Nursery admissions, separate process

Nursery admissions run on a separate timeline. For the 2026 to 2027 nursery intake, the published schedule is:

• Applications open: 1 December 2025

• Deadline: 27 February 2026

• Offer letters sent: 16 March 2026

• Deadline to accept and return paperwork: 23 March 2026

School tours for prospective families appear to run seasonally. The school published tours in December 2025 and early January 2026, noting that further dates would be released. Treat that as a pattern rather than a calendar, and check the current tour list before planning time off work.

The safeguarding position is clear in the published record, and procedures are treated as a whole staff responsibility. The 13 and 14 July 2022 Ofsted inspection rated the school Good across all areas and confirmed safeguarding is effective.

Beyond compliance, the pastoral offer is concrete. Bonnie, the school dog, is presented as part of both academic and pastoral interventions, including reading with children and helping pupils manage emotions. Bonnie joined in September 2021, and staff working with her are trained through the Dog Mentor programme.

Attendance is the one pastoral thread to watch. The inspection record notes recent work to improve attendance, alongside a minority of pupils still missing too much school. For families, the practical takeaway is to ask how attendance is tracked and how support is offered when patterns start to slip, particularly for children who find transitions or mornings difficult.

Extracurricular life is built around a mix of staff led and provider led options, plus leadership roles that run through the year.

Named clubs and activities (examples from the published spring term programme)

• Choir for Years 4 to 6

• Tech Club for Years 3 to 6

• Art Club for Reception to Year 6

• Street Dance club for Reception upwards (term programme based)

• Football and multisport options across multiple age groups, plus a basketball club offer

The implication is breadth rather than a narrow “one sport dominates” culture. Families with children who like trying different things across the year should find plenty of entry points.

There are also distinctive whole school routines. The school publishes “Singing Assembly” and “Golden Assembly” as part of the weekly assembly cycle, which signals that performance, celebration, and community recognition are structured into the timetable, not left to chance.

Outdoor activity is part of the day, not only after school. The school runs the Daily Mile and also links outdoor learning to curriculum themes and local activity, reinforcing a “movement and learning” rhythm that many children respond to well.

This is a state school with no tuition fees.

School day timings (published by phase)

Nursery runs 8.35am to 11.35am, then 12.15pm to 3.15pm; Reception runs 8.45am to 11.50am, then 1.15pm to 3.15pm; Years 1 to 6 follow similar 8.45am starts with afternoon finish at 3.15pm.

Wraparound care

Sunrise Club runs 7.30am to 8.45am; Sunset Club runs 3.15pm to 6.00pm, with options for shorter sessions and published daily prices. Sessions are held in The Hub next to the Nursery, and booking is managed through the Arbor Parent Portal.

For travel and parking, the school communicates a clear expectation that families should park thoughtfully and avoid driving into school grounds during the day, which is typical of a residential street setting.

• Competition for Reception places. With 160 applications for 59 offers in the published admissions picture, entry pressure is real. Families should plan for second and third choices, not only a single preferred school.

• Nursery is not a guaranteed route into Reception. Nursery admissions run separately and, as with many schools, a place in nursery does not automatically secure a Reception place.

• Curriculum development work is ongoing. The most recent inspection notes that some curriculum areas were still bedding in at the time, with staff training needed to strengthen subject knowledge in newer areas. This is worth exploring in a tour or conversation if your child thrives on consistent routines and clear subject teaching.

• Attendance focus. Leaders have acted to improve attendance, but persistent absence remained a concern for a minority. If your child has health needs or anxiety that affects attendance, ask what early support looks like in practice.

Cherry Tree Primary School, Watford blends a calm, structured culture with outcomes that sit above England averages, especially at the higher standard. The school is also unusually transparent about transitions to secondary, which helps families plan early.

Who it suits: families who want strong primary results, clear behaviour expectations, and a school that treats outdoor learning and pupil voice as part of the core offer, not an optional extra. The main challenge is securing a place in an oversubscribed context.