At Central Primary School, children are at the heart of everything we do. We are a welcoming community school where pupils, staff, parents and the wider community learn and grow together. Our diverse community is one of our greatest strengths, with more than 60 languages spoken across the school. We celebrate and value the rich cultural experiences and backgrounds that our families bring to our community.

Situated in the heart of Watford, our beautiful Victorian school building opened in 1884 and is one of the oldest schools in the town. Originally home to the Watford grammar schools for boys and girls, the building has a long and proud history of educating children.

Our recent Ofsted inspection (Feb 26) recognised the school’s strong culture of inclusion and described Central as a place where pupils feel “cared for, included and ready to learn.” Inspectors highlighted the respectful relationships between staff and pupils, the school’s strong pastoral support and the way leaders “go beyond what is expected to meet pupils’ needs.” We are proud that Ofsted recognised our commitment to ensuring every child is known, valued and supported to succeed.

Our vision is to equip young people with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful lifelong learners in the 21st century. We achieve this through challenging, creative, inspiring and fully inclusive learning experiences where every child’s needs are considered, diversity is celebrated and achievements are recognised.

As a school, we live by the values of forgiveness, curiosity, kindness, persistence and hope. Children learn how these values shape the way we interact with others, approach learning and contribute positively to the world around us. We believe these values provide the attitudes, resilience and skills needed to thrive in modern society.

It is our role to build on children’s experiences and provide life-enhancing opportunities so that our young people become empowered, reflective and ambitious citizens who strive to succeed and make a positive difference in the world.