Watford has become a popular choice for families looking to settle down, thanks to its proximity to green space, its community feel and convenient location, and of course its educational facilities.
If you’re considering a move to Watford, you can be assured that you’ll find quality education in and around the town, with several options within walking distance from The Clarendon.
Grammar schools
Watford is home to many renowned grammar schools, with two of them featured in the ‘Top 10 comprehensive secondary schools in the Southeast’ list in this year’s Sunday Times school guide – a survey which uncovers the highest achieving UK schools.
Parmiter’s School was named the 2nd top comprehensive secondary school in the Southeast and is located just a 20-minute drive from The Clarendon. This co-educational state school received an Outstanding Ofsted report on everything from its quality of education and leadership and management to its sixth form provision.
Watford Grammar School is one of Watford’s most prestigious schools, with an Outstanding Ofsted report. As one of the top grammar schools in the country, it was named the 6th top comprehensive secondary school in The Sunday Times school guide for the Southeast. Offering both primary and secondary options for boys and girls, it provides a strong foundation for education in a supportive environment. The school prides itself on its high academic standards and dedicated staff and is just a six-minute drive or 20-minute walk from The Clarendon.
Primary Schools
When considering primary schools, the majority of them in Watford (84%) have received Good or Outstanding ratings with Ofsted, showcasing the quality of teaching, leadership, pupil outcomes and overall school environment.
St. John’s Church of England Primary School is highly regarded for its commitment to both academic excellence and inclusion and diversity. With a focus on nurturing children, the school has earned praise for its dedicated staff. It is also positioned on Clarendon Road and sits opposite to The Clarendon.
Cassiobury School: Located near the popular Cassiobury Park, this school prides itself on its inclusive approach to education and its emphasis on helping children develop confidence and curiosity. It received ‘Good’ in its latest Ofsted report due to its ambitious and well-developed subject curriculum and caring and friendly nature.
Kingsway School is a special educational needs (SEN) school in Watford that offers tailored learning experiences for students with learning disabilities. The school is known for its supportive environment where children are encouraged to reach their full potential.
Boarding / Independent schools
For those looking for independent education for their children, Watford is also surrounded by some of the best private schools in the country. Hertfordshire itself has more than 20 private schools, all of which offer day places, with over half also offering boarding places.
St. Albans School is located 10 miles for Watford and is one of the most well-known independent schools in the area. With a strong reputation for its academic performance and extracurricular programs – having received an Outstanding Osted rating – it prepares students to attend the UK’s top universities and go on to have impressive careers.
Located just 15 minutes from The Clarendon is Merchant Taylor’s School – one of the oldest independent boys’ schools in the UK. Known for its thorough academic programme and outstanding facilities, the school has a strong track record of preparing students for leading universities.
Higher educational opportunities:
There are also some fantastic higher educational opportunities for those looking to access full-time courses, apprenticeships and degrees, including:
West Herts College: A 125-acre green campus providing further education based in Watford, which offers a variety of career-focused full-time courses and apprenticeships, including healthcare, business, science, humanities, law, sport, and creative arts. The college also is home to an impressive range of facilities to help inspire students, from TV and recording studios and media editing suites to hair and beauty salons and fashion studios.
University of Hertfordshire is based in Hatfield, which is positioned just a 25-minute drive from The Clarendon, and offers students access to more than 700 career-focused degree options including a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and short courses.