The new headteacher at one of Watford's most popular schools has praised its pupils and spoken about one of its biggest challenges.

Executive Principal Ben Conway recently joined the Knutsford Primary Academy after leaving Shephalbury Park Primary School in Stevenage, where he was headteacher for five years.

Only two weeks in, Mr Conway is already full of praise for the “polite and articulate” pupils who he said are a “delight to be around.”

“This is a really lovely school, so my job is to try and shape that and make things that are already good even better," he added.

Watford Observer: New Executive Principal Ben Conway said Knutsford pupils were a delight to be around.New Executive Principal Ben Conway said Knutsford pupils were a delight to be around. (Image: Ben Conway)“There’s a very strong sense of community here, but also an established and committed team of staff that I know are highly committed to doing the very best for these children.”

Mr Conway said that Knutsford has a “strong academic background” and sets high expectations for its pupils, which he believes is important for parents.

Watford Observer: The primary academy teaches 439 pupils from ages four to 11 at its Balmoral Road site.The primary academy teaches 439 pupils from ages four to 11 at its Balmoral Road site. (Image: Knutsford Primary Academy)The school is part of the Aspire Academies Trust and teaches 439 children between the ages of four and 11 at its Balmoral Road site.

Data recently revealed it was one of Watford's most applied-for primary schools, as it received 74 first-choice applications for just 60 places in the September school entry.

Knutsford was also rated ‘good’ by Ofsted in January 2023, which praised the academy but also raised concerns over different experience levels of early years staff.

This led to “some inconsistency in the quality of learning opportunities”, according to the regulator, which Mr Conway said was already being addressed. It is also reviewing the curriculum to make it as “engaging, exciting and progressive as possible”.Watford Observer: Mr Conway said there was a strong sense of community at the primary academy.Mr Conway said there was a strong sense of community at the primary academy. (Image: Knutsford Primary Academy)

While he confirmed that the school’s finances were stable and regulated by the academy trust, Mr Conway admitted that funding was one of the biggest issues facing the academy.

“You'll hear this from any educational professional that you're talking to, money can be an inhibitor to schools nationally,” he said. “It’s a massive issue.

“It doesn't inhibit what we do internally, but it can stop potential growth or financing new things.”

Having joined the school towards the end of the academic years, he intends to spend the rest of the summer term “meeting, learning, listening, understanding, planning and building the start of those strong relationships with people".

The 40-year-old, who has worked in education since 2006, lives in Broxbourne with his wife, daughter, 8, and son, 5.