Ofsted: Cherry Tree Primary School gets 'good' rating

Cherry Tree Primary School in Berry Avenue, Watford, was inspected over two days in July and found to be ‘good’ in all categories, the second highest of four possible ratings.

Inspectors described the school as “ambitious” with a rich curriculum and added that pupils “thrive” and behave well.

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The school's dog, Bonnie. was even mentioned by name in the report for helping to calm students if they are anxious or upset.

The inspection was the first since the school became an academy, with its last full inspection taking place in May 2011, when the school also received a ‘good’ rating.

The report said: “Pupils thrive at Cherry Tree Primary School. The school’s beliefs and promises: ‘We are kind, we aim high, we are brave’, accurately describe pupils’ attitudes to learning.

Headteacher Cheska Tyler with students. Picture: Cherry Tree Primary School (Image: Cherry Tree Primary School)

“Pupils are proud of their school environment. They appreciate everyone working together. Pupils are positive and kind to each other.”

Headteacher Cheska Tyler said: “We were delighted with our Ofsted report, the school has truly evolved in the last two years since I joined the team in September 2020.

“We've seen a significant rebuild to the school and expectations and aspirations have really been raised.

“Our children adore learning outdoors and reading is loved by all.

Headteacher Cheska Tyler. Picture: Cherry Tree Primary School (Image: Cherry Tree Primary School)

“Our children and staff are happy here, as is Bonnie, our school dog.”

Areas for the school to improve included the lack of a full evaluation of recently designed parts of the curriculum, with some staff lacking subject knowledge in these areas.

The report added: “Leaders have recently implemented new approaches to improve pupils’ attendance but some pupils are still not attending school frequently.

“Leaders should continue to establish their plans so that persistent absence is reduced and that all pupils benefit from leaders’ well-planned curriculum.”

The school has 425 pupils and 161 of them responded to Ofsted’s survey.

Ofsted also found pupils to be enthusiastic readers and safeguarding was also found to be effective at the school.

Students with special educational needs and disabilities are well looked at the school and “learn and achieve well” alongside their peers.

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