Kenilworth Primary School

About Kenilworth Primary School

Kenilworth Primary School in Hertsmere is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 3 to 11, currently home to 220 children against a capacity of 225 — so it’s running very close to full. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals sits at 28%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools and suggests a more diverse intake in terms of socioeconomic background. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 67 applications for just 26 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.58. Of those, 22 were first-preference applications, and all 22 received offers. That level of competition indicates a school that local families are actively choosing, despite its relatively modest ranking within Hertfordshire’s primary landscape.

Academically, Kenilworth holds a Good rating from its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, a clear improvement from its previous Requires Improvement judgement in 2018. The inspection awarded Good across all categories including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. At Key Stage 2 in 2023/24, 52% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — below the local authority average of 64%. However, individual subject scores tell a more nuanced story: 71% met the expected standard in reading, 67% in writing, and 62% in maths, with average scaled scores of 102 in both reading and maths. The proportion reaching the higher standard was low — 10% in reading and maths, 5% in writing — and no pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects. Nationally, the school ranks in the bottom 50% on this combined measure.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including an outdoor playground, art studios, music rooms, a forest school area, and a chapel. Sports provision covers cricket, rounders, cross country and football, while clubs extend to gardening, film, art, science and eco activities. SEND support is well-documented, with provisions for social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication difficulties, visual impairment, and physical disability. Nursery provision is available for younger children. For families weighing up options, Kenilworth is a popular, oversubscribed school that has turned around its Ofsted rating and serves a relatively disadvantaged catchment. It suits parents who prioritise a broad enrichment offer and inclusive SEND support over top-tier academic results, and who are comfortable with a school that is full to the brim.

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