A welcome from the headteacher

Welcome to the website of Holy Rood Catholic Primary School.

It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to Holy Rood Catholic Primary School. For over 130 years, our school has proudly served the Catholic community of Watford, providing generations of children with an education rooted in faith and a commitment to excellence.

Holy Rood is an ‘Outstanding’ and over-subscribed Catholic nursery and two-form entry primary school where children flourish spiritually, academically and personally. Consistently achieving outcomes above both local and national averages, we are a school where children are inspired to love learning, fulfil their God-given potential and develop into confident, compassionate young people who are ready for the opportunities and challenges of the future.

Our pupils, staff and Governors are immensely proud of our vibrant school community, where every child is known, valued and encouraged to become the very best version of themselves.

Nestled within beautiful green surroundings, Holy Rood enjoys extensive school grounds that include its own historic woodland, home to magnificent ancient trees. This remarkable outdoor environment is an integral part of our school, enriching children's learning and providing endless opportunities to play, explore, reflect and develop a love and respect for God's creation.

At the heart of everything we do is our Mission Statement:

"The family of Holy Rood School will try to live, learn, grow and celebrate together, as friends, through the love of Christ."

These words are not simply displayed on our walls; they shape our relationships, our decision-making and the daily life of our school. As a living Catholic community, faith is woven naturally into every aspect of school life, nurturing children to become compassionate, thoughtful and responsible young people who recognise that every individual is a unique gift from God.

We are privileged to serve the parishes of Holy Rood and St Helen's and enjoy strong partnerships with our parish communities. Together with our families, we provide children with firm spiritual foundations and a genuine sense of belonging within both the Church and the wider Catholic community.

Alongside our strong Catholic ethos, we are committed to the highest standards of academic achievement. Holy Rood has a long-established tradition of academic excellence, with our pupils consistently achieving highly and building strong foundations for future success. These outcomes reflect the dedication of our talented staff, the support of our families and, above all, the hard work, determination and ambition of our pupils.

Our ambitious curriculum is carefully designed to develop curious, knowledgeable and confident learners, while our skilled and dedicated staff inspire children to discover their talents and fulfil their potential. We combine high expectations with genuine care, creating a culture where every child is challenged, supported and encouraged to achieve their very best. We believe that success is built upon excellent personal conduct, resilience, kindness, perseverance and a commitment to always giving one's best.

Education at Holy Rood extends far beyond the classroom. We are passionate about providing a rich programme of cultural, artistic, musical, sporting and leadership opportunities, ensuring every child enjoys memorable experiences that broaden their life experience, build confidence and inspire lifelong interests. We want our pupils to leave Holy Rood not only with excellent academic outcomes, but also with the character, faith, values and skills needed to flourish in secondary school and to make a positive contribution to society.

Our commitment to inclusion is central to who we are. We recognise that every child has unique strengths, talents and aspirations, and we strive to provide the encouragement, challenge and support each individual needs to succeed. Promoting positive emotional wellbeing sits alongside our commitment to academic excellence, ensuring that children feel safe, valued, happy and ready to learn.

We firmly believe that educating a child is a partnership between school and home. Parents are a child's first educators, and we greatly value the trust you place in us. By working closely together, we can ensure every child enjoys a happy, successful and fulfilling primary education.

Whether your child is taking their very first steps into education or even joining us later in their school journey, we would be delighted to welcome your family into the Holy Rood community. We look forward to sharing many exciting experiences and celebrating every milestone as your child grows in faith, knowledge and confidence during their time with us.

As our most recent Ofsted inspection recognised, "Across the school, there is a palpable air of peace and kind-heartedness." We warmly invite you to come and experience this for yourself. Please do not hesitate to contact our school office to arrange to join one of our school tours. We would be delighted to welcome you and show you what makes Holy Rood such a special place to live, learn, grow and celebrate together.

Mrs Mac Labhrai & Mrs Willis
Headteachers

Why our children think our school is so special ...