Graded inspection · Mar 2023 Previous framework
- Quality of education
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Personal development
- Leadership and management
This schoolOther secondary schools in Hertfordshire
What did Ofsted find?
Ofsted data to 30 September 2026| Area | Outstanding | Good | Requires improvement | Inadequate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding | |||
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding | |||
| Personal development | Outstanding | |||
| Leadership and management | Outstanding | |||
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
Full reports on the Ofsted website · How to read Ofsted grades
About these grades
Ofsted's report cards (from November 2025) grade each area on five steps and give no overall grade. Earlier grades come from a different framework; Ofsted says the two cannot be compared, so they are never converted here. Ofsted: "We normally inspect schools every 4 years or at any time if we have concerns." Methodology.
How hard is it to get a place?
DfE · Sept 2026 entry751 applications · 187 places offered · 259 named it first
- 2026 4.0; Hertfordshire median median 3.0
- 2025 3.9; Hertfordshire median median 3.0
- 2024 3.9; Hertfordshire median median 3.1
- 2023 3.9; Hertfordshire median median 3.1
- 2022 4.2; Hertfordshire median median 3.0
- 2021 3.9; Hertfordshire median median 3.0
- 2020 4.2; Hertfordshire median median 3.1
- 2019 4.5; Hertfordshire median median 3.2
- 2018 4.5; Hertfordshire median median 3.3
- 2017 4.3; Hertfordshire median median 3.3
- 2016 4.3; Hertfordshire median median 3.4
- 2015 4.6; Hertfordshire median median 3.3
- 2014 4.1; Hertfordshire median median 3.4
- This school
- Hertfordshire median
Year 7 applications for September 2027 close 31 October 2026, through your council
How this is measured
Applications per place: every application naming the school at any preference, divided by places offered on National Offer Day. It is not your chance of a place. Methodology.
| Entry | Places | Applications | Per place | First preferences | First-pref. ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 187 | 751 | 4.0 | 259 | 1.39 |
| Sep 2025 | 183 | 704 | 3.9 | 256 | 1.40 |
| Sep 2024 | 199 | 766 | 3.9 | 238 | 1.20 |
| Sep 2023 | 204 | 786 | 3.9 | 217 | 1.06 |
| Sep 2022 | 197 | 834 | 4.2 | 234 | 1.19 |
| Sep 2021 | 193 | 746 | 3.9 | 172 | 0.89 |
| Sep 2020 | 185 | 768 | 4.2 | 177 | 0.96 |
| Sep 2019 | 192 | 870 | 4.5 | 263 | 1.37 |
| Sep 2018 | 191 | 867 | 4.5 | 245 | 1.28 |
| Sep 2017 | 191 | 811 | 4.3 | 228 | 1.19 |
| Sep 2016 | 192 | 822 | 4.3 | 252 | 1.31 |
| Sep 2015 | 193 | 878 | 4.6 | 234 | 1.21 |
| Sep 2014 | 193 | 786 | 4.1 | 208 | 1.08 |
How did pupils do at GCSE?
DfE KS4 · 2025/26 provisionalEvery year as a table
| Year | Pupils | Attainment 8 | 5+ Eng & maths | 4+ Eng & maths | Progress 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 (prov.) | 192 | 63.9 | 72% | 91% | – |
| 2024/25 | 192 | 62.8 | 76% | 87% | – |
| 2023/24 | 199 | 62.3 | 76% | 89% | +0.79 |
| 2022/23 | 200 | 61.0 | 72% | 88% | +0.79 |
Progress 8 is not published for 2024/25 or 2025/26: those pupils had no key stage 2 tests in 2020 and 2021.
Schools nearby
The 8 nearest secondary schools in a straight line, in any local authority
- Sir John Lawes SchoolThis schoolThis schoolOutstanding20234.0applications per place 63.9Attainment 8
- 0.5 km · HertfordshireGraded · no overall grade20253.4applications per place 65.6Attainment 8
- 0.9 km · HertfordshireGood20243.8applications per place 50.6Attainment 8
- 1.9 km · HertfordshireOutstanding20233.7applications per place 59.1Attainment 8
- 5.4 km · HertfordshireRemains Good20241.7applications per place 43.9Attainment 8
- 5.9 km · HertfordshireGraded · no overall grade20243.1applications per place 60.7Attainment 8
- 6.3 km · HertfordshireOutstanding20244.3applications per place 65.7Attainment 8
- 6.7 km · LutonGood20232.9applications per place 52.4Attainment 8
- 7.8 km · HertfordshireRemains Good20242.4applications per place 54.4Attainment 8
School details
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- URN · DfE number
- 137270 · 919/4028
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Capacity
- 1,200 pupils · 1,373 on roll
- Free school meals
- 9.7% of pupils (England median 23%)
- Opened
- 1 August 2011
- Replaced
- Sir John Lawes School (URN 117511)
- Address
- Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QP
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire · St Albans
Data last changed 19 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources