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Merry Hill is a happy and successful, 230 place Infant and Nursery School in a beautiful part of Bushey, just three miles from the centre of Watford
A Potted History of Merry Hill*
Merry Hill is a school which is steeped in history. Its origins can be traced right back to the founding of the Bushey National Schools, as long ago as 1827.
The current Merry Hill buildings are a mix of old and new. The main
building dates from 1885. In 1908 a fire destroyed an extensive part of
this building and it was rebuilt and extended in 1909. A new hall was
added in 1939. The old part of the school is a building of great warmth
and character, which has been extensively modernised over the years. The second building dates from the 70s and houses the Reception classrooms, dining room and administrative offices and Nursery unit.
Merry Hill School has retained its friendly village school atmosphere. It is pleasantly situated in a four acre site and includes a playground and two low level adventure play areas, a large field, a wildlife area and a pond area.
How Merry Hill is organised
Merry Hill is a Community two form entry Infant School with a 52 place Nursery class.
Children are admitted into Nursery in the September following their 3rd birthday.
Children are admitted into Reception in the September following their 4th birthday.
We are well regarded in the local community and are usually oversubscribed.
At the end of Year 2 the children transfer to Ashfield Junior School, also in School Lane. We maintain close liaison with Ashfield School to ensure continuity of education for our children.
We have experienced and caring staff who adopt a child-centred approach to teaching, fostering the independence of the children and teaching according to their individual needs. The needs of children with special educational needs are supported by our Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator/Inclusion Manager. There is a trained and experienced Teaching Assistant in every class, full time in Reception and 19 hours per week in Year 1 and Year 2. The school is very well equipped with a newly refurbished library and an ICT suite with 17 computers, plus three computers and an interactive whiteboard in every classroom.
Ofsted
Merry Hill Infant School and Nursery in Bushey has been identified by Ofsted as amongst the very best in the country.
In a glowing report, Ofsted Inspectors said that Merry Hill was ‘Outstanding’ in every single one of the eight areas judged:
1. Overall effectiveness of the school 2. Effectiveness of the Early Years Foundation Stage 3. Achievements and standards 4. Personal development 5. Teaching and learning 6. Curriculum and other activities 7. Care, guidance and support 8. Leadership and management
Describing the overall effectiveness of the school, Ofsted says that Merry Hill gives pupils an outstanding education. It notes that it is strongly focused on achieving the highest possible standards in the context of a rich all-round education for every pupil.
Inspectors said that pupils reached such high standards because of outstanding teaching that is lively, thorough, imaginative and interesting. As one pupil said, ‘It is exciting to learn something new every day’.
The Inspectors highlighted the fact that Merry Hill’s leadership and management are outstanding. The Report states that the Headteacher sets a clear direction for improvement, inspiring, supporting and enabling the whole staff team.
Amongst the very many areas praised, the Report says that pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is outstanding. Ofsted says that the pupils make outstanding progress in acquiring skills that will support them in later life.
Ofsted notes that parents are extremely satisfied with Merry Hill and warmly appreciate the excellent partnership that is cultivated between home and school. The Report says that the two-way flow of information between school and home is exceptional. As one parent said, ‘It really makes parenting our children a lot easier knowing that the staff and parents are working together.’
Headteacher, Pauline Hannibal said, “We are delighted to have achieved an outstanding Ofsted report. Visitors to our school often tell us that it feels special and now Ofsted has made this official. The key to our success is our strong team of staff, governors, parents and our course our brilliant children. We are all immensely proud of what we have achieved.”
Chair of Governors, Paul Abrahams said, 'I am delighted for the Headteacher, Pauline Hannibal, her dedicated teaching and support staff and the children. To have Merry Hill recognised as an outstanding school, one of the best primary schools in the country and certainly the best in the local area, is an achievement of which all involved with the school are understandably proud.'
Merry Hill will now be included in the Government list of ‘Outstanding’ schools, will receive a commemorative certificate, and will be authorised to use an exclusive “Outstanding Provider” logo.
The full text of the Ofsted Report can be found on the Merry Hill website at www.merryhill.org.uk and on the Ofsted website.
Parent Teacher Association
Merry Hill School has an active parent teacher association which raises funds for special projects. Parents are also encouraged to come into school to work with the children. We operate an ‘open door’ policy for children, parents, staff and governors.
Merry Hill - Investor in People
Investor in People is a nationally recognised standard which promotes quality staff organisation and development. The standards fundamental purpose is stated as:
In 1996 Merry Hill was the first primary school in Hertfordshire to be awarded the prestigious Investor in People Award. We were successfully re-assessed in 1999, 2002, 2005 and 2008 when the Assessors’ Report praised the school highly.
We are proud to be an Investor in People school.
Merry Hill - School Achievement Awards
School Achievement Awards were developed by the DFES to recognise and celebrate good practice. Merry Hill has twice been awarded a School Achievement since 2001.
If you would like to find out more about our school please arrange an appointment to come in and talk to us. My staff and I look forward to meeting you and your children.
Pauline Hannibal Headteacher
*Further information about the history of Merry Hill School from 1827-1972 can be found in a booklet written by Joan Hands and Sandy Woodley (both retired teachers of the school), available, priced £5, from the school office. |