Admissions
The Grove Junior School is a community-focussed school for children aged 7 to 11 years.
Built in 1964, it is set in the same extensive grounds as The Grove Infant and Nursery School and is situated in the Southdown area of Harpenden, close to open countryside.
The school has a large playing field, playgrounds, a large hall, dining room, library, a wellbeing ‘Sanctuary’, a music room and 12 spacious classrooms, each with its own toilets and cloakroom area.
Sports facilities include areas for football, netball, rounders and athletics.
For information on how to apply for a school place at The Grove Junior School please follow the link below to the dedicated admissions website run by Hertfordshire County Council.
Herts County Council – Admissions
We love to show prospective families around so if you would like to arrange a tour with the Headteacher please email our office admin team on admin@grovejm.herts.sch.uk
Upcoming Tours for Y3 Intake
Tuesday 24th November 2026 at 9am
Thursday 26th November 2026 at 9am
Please email the office admin team if you would like to attend on admin@grovejm.herts.sch.uk
PAN Reduction 2028-29
The County Council is responsible for setting a published admission number (PAN) for all community and voluntary-controlled schools and must consult on any proposals to reduce PANs. After a period of demographic growth, the demand for primary places across the county has fallen and, in some areas, fewer school places are needed. This is in line with a decrease in primary demand across most other local authorities. Changes in demand are not evenly distributed and some areas and schools are impacted more than others. As part of the PAN setting process for academic year 2028/29, the County Council has engaged with headteachers and governing bodies at a number of schools, including The Grove Junior School, to discuss and agree a proposed PAN reduction.
A reduction of the PAN at The Grove Junior School, from 90 to 60 places from 2028/29 is proposed following a drop in the number of applications and allocations for September 2026. The pupil forecast indicates lower demand for Reception places across Harpenden for 2028/29 and beyond. A reduction in PAN would create a better match of places to expected demand, protecting the financial viability of the school moving forward. The Governing Body and Headteacher are both in agreement with the proposal which will assist the school both organisationally and financially.
Please visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions2028 for more information about the consultation and to respond online.
Appeals
For information on admission appeals, please use the link below to visit the webpage run by Hertfordshire County Council.