Classpot

The Grove Infant and Nursery School

St Albans, AL5 1QDPrimaryAges 3–7MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
Nov 2023
KS2 Results
No data
Competition
1.1×
Oversubscribed
69 1st-choice / 60 places
Ranking
Not ranked

About The Grove Infant and Nursery School

The Grove Infant and Nursery School stands out sharply against the Hertfordshire primary average, but not in the way you might expect from its headline metrics. While the local authority average for Key Stage 2 attainment sits at 64, The Grove only educates children up to age seven, so it does not participate in those SATs at all. Instead, the school’s real standout metric is its Ofsted rating: it is one of just 45 state primary schools in Hertfordshire currently rated Outstanding, out of 401 total. That places it in the top 11% of its type across the county. The school has held this top grade consistently across both its recent inspections, with the most recent graded inspection in November 2023 awarding the highest possible mark in every single category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision all rated Outstanding.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 7 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressDark Lane, Harpenden, St Albans, AL5 1QD
HeadteacherAndrea Sharkey
Local AuthorityHertfordshire
Number of Pupils265
Free School Meals (FSM)2.4%
School Capacity265 / 270 (98% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

7 Nov 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Early Years Provision
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 17 Dec 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionLearning DifficultyMulti-Sensory

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Grove Infant and Nursery School

The Grove Infant and Nursery School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This means the school provides an exceptional quality of education, and pupils thrive both academically and personally.