Oaklands Primary School

About Oaklands Primary School

Oaklands Primary School in Welwyn Hatfield sits comfortably above the local authority average when it comes to Key Stage 2 outcomes. Across Hertfordshire, the average proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined is 64%, but at Oaklands that figure climbs to 73%. That places the school 88th out of 401 primary schools in the county, putting it in the top quarter nationally. The school’s overall ranking score of 73 reflects solid, consistent performance rather than headline-grabbing extremes. For parents comparing options locally, Oaklands offers a clear step up from the typical Hertfordshire primary, without the intense pressure that can sometimes accompany the very highest-performing schools.

Digging into the detail of the 2023/24 SATs results, the picture is one of strength in reading and maths, with writing slightly less pronounced. Reading is a particular highlight: 90% of pupils met the expected standard, and half achieved the higher standard — well above typical national figures. In maths, 87% reached the expected level, with an average scaled score of 105. Writing saw 80% at the expected standard and 10% at the higher level. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in 2023, awarded a Good rating across every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — all scoring 2 on the four-point scale. This is a consistent improvement from its previous 2011 inspection, which also rated overall effectiveness as Good but did not assess behaviour or personal development.

With 190 pupils against a capacity of 210, Oaklands is a relatively small primary, and it is oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, there were 107 applications for 28 places, with 38 first-preference applications and 27 offers made to first-preference families. The school supports a wide range of SEND needs, including dyslexia, speech and language difficulties, autism, hearing impairment and physical disability. Facilities include a library, forest school area, ICT suite, playing fields and a chapel. Clubs cover drama, choir, coding, art, film and book club, while sports on offer include cricket, swimming, football, netball, athletics and dance. Just 5.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is low compared with the national average. This is a school that suits families who value strong academic foundations, particularly in reading, and who want a well-resourced, inclusive environment without the formality of a religious character.

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