A school has been praised for its “well-considered” learning in a positive report despite losing its ‘outstanding’ grade.

Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery, Bushey, had its last graded Ofsted inspection in 2009, when it was found to offer its pupils “an outstanding education” and earned the highest possible grade.

More than a decade on, when the School Lane provider was inspected over two days in December, inspectors still found the early years provision to be ‘outstanding’ but landed on a ‘good’ rating overall.

According to the report: “Pupils are proud to attend Merry Hill. Staff warmly welcome pupils each day with a happy face. The school prioritises pupils’ well-being. Pupils and families appreciate the support the school provides.”

Ofsted added that children learn “a range of ambitious vocabulary” with concepts taught in a “well-considered” way and noted that inclusion, which recently earned it a Special Educational Needs and Disability Inclusion Award (SENDIA), was a “priority” for Merry Hill.

Two areas for improvement were included in the report. It said: “In a couple of subjects, the curriculum is not as well implemented as leaders would like.

“Therefore, pupils do not always learn as well as they might.”

The inspectors added that “for a small number of pupils with SEND” lesson adaptions are not always matched to pupils' needs because supporting targets are not always as precise as they could be.

Watford Observer: Merry Hill Infants School and Nursery.Merry Hill Infants School and Nursery. (Image: Merry Hill Infants School and Nursery.)

Meanwhile, early years, which was picked out as the ‘outstanding’ area, earned particular praise.

“Children in the early years get off to a very strong start,” the inspector found. “This prepares them well for their later learning.”

Safeguarding arrangements were certified as effective.

Headteacher Melissa Adams said: “The recent Ofsted report highlighting our early years as ‘outstanding’ and overall ‘good’ rating, along with our national SENDIA underscores the remarkable achievements of our school community, a testament to our collective dedication.

"Together, the staff, governors and parents of Merry Hill shape a future for every child to thrive academically, socially and emotionally, guided by our shared commitment to excellence.”

The infant school had 209 children aged three to seven on its roll at the time of the inspection.