£60 Million Funding for Local Schools

Thousands of school places are being created in Watford, thanks to Government investment in buildings and new schools.

Since 2010, I have pushed for huge investment in Watford’s schools and the results are already being felt. 

Government funding was secured for Croxley Danes School to open its doors last year. The free school will eventually be a 1206 place mainstream school for 11-18 year olds and will include a 306 place sixth form. From March last year, Croxley Danes offered 120 firm places to local children, with 180 from this year. 

St John's Free School, a new primary school in Central Watford, opened its doors in 2016. This school will eventually cater for students from Reception to Year Six, and will accommodate up to 420 pupils when it reaches full capacity in 2022.

In 2014, the opening of Lanchester Free School and Ascot Road Free School created an extra 120 primary school places, and hundreds of places were created with the opening of the new University Technical College (UTC). 

Westfield Academy has undergone a £20million rebuild. Both Frances Combe and Garston Manor in North Watford have got brand new buildings in the last few years.

Watford Grammar School for Boys also recently opened their brand new STEM Centre, which is a purpose built facility for teaching STEM subjects. It will also be opened up to other local schools for use. 

In Watford, every single secondary school achieved a 'good' or 'outstanding' Ofsted inspection and our primary schools aren't far behind! Watford's University Technical College on Colonial Way was rated 'Good' in its first ever Ofsted inspection last year.

Ensuring access to a quality local education is vital. I will continue to push for the investment in schools to provide more places and ensure teachers have the facilities they need.