A school in Watford has been downgraded in its most recent Ofsted inspection but the headteacher is still “proud” of the grade.

Cassiobury Infant and Nursery School has been graded 'good' by inspectors in its report which was published yesterday (November 26).

Ofsted attended the school on October 11 and 12, 12 years after the school was rated 'outstanding'.

The report confirmed that “pupils love attending this happy and kind school” and it provides “many broad and interesting educational opportunities”.

Children “love to read” and “learn a broad and rich set of knowledge and skills”, according to inspectors.

Headteacher Charlotte Cooper said: “We are delighted that Ofsted recognises ‘pupils love attending this happy and kind school’. This is a wonderful endorsement of the professionalism and dedication of our staff and volunteers and our very supportive parents.  

“Our overall new grading is ‘good’ with two areas of ‘outstanding’ in Personal Development and Early Years Provision. We understand that there has been a shift in the overall grading of the school however it is important to note that the ‘outstanding’ grading was measured in 2011, and there have been many changes to the Ofsted criteria grading over the past 12 years increasing the measures for schools to be able to achieve this goal now in 2023.”

The school identifies children with special needs quickly and teachers work with parents and carers to build a clear picture of pupils’ skills, inspectors added.

However, the report stated “teachers do not consistently use the school’s chosen pedagogical approaches” or they have “less secure subject knowledge”.

Children can be “less engaged and do not achieve as well as they could” as “information is not presented as clearly and precisely to pupils”.

However, leaders were found to “engage well with parents” and “pupils behave well around the school”.

The headteacher added: “The report clearly details the positive aspects of the school including how children achieve well, positive playtimes and lunchtimes and a well-structured and carefully sequenced delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum.”