Future Academies Watford
Watford, WD25 7HW · Hertfordshire · secondary school
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64th of 78 secondary schools in Hertfordshire we can score, 82 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.9/10 against 664 of them, against 3.7/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 40.0 · 37 | 46% | 1.73 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.16 · 38 | 38% | 1.46 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.6 · 32 | 15% | 0.49 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Future Academies Watford overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.16 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Orchestra and Choir, or play Netball, Football, and Cricket. Music lessons include musical instrument tuition and masterclasses. Trips include a ski trip to France, a visit to the Houses of Parliament, language trips to France or Spain, a battlefields trip, and a visit to Auschwitz.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,060 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,350. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their Progress 8 score and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Future Academies Watford
Overview
Future Academies Watford is a secondary academy where pupils are greeted with a daily handshake and experience an "ambitious" curriculum tailored to their needs. The report highlights that pupils are "learning more and remembering more," resulting in good progress, while behaviour is described as "very strong" within a culture that "will not tolerate poor behaviour."
Strengths
- The curriculum is "expertly constructed" to provide skills and knowledge, with "thoughtfully planned" educational enrichment that raises aspirations.
- Teachers "know their pupils well," catering effectively to different needs and using assessment to check understanding, while providing "effective" reading support.
- Personal development is "at the heart of the school," fostering respect, character, and active community support through charity work.
- Leadership has been "unrelenting" in driving improvements, ensuring staff feel "valued" and supported with their workload and well-being.
- The sixth form is "well established and growing," with students benefiting from "expert teaching" and achieving well in their studies.
Areas to improve
- Attendance for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is lower than for their peers; the school must ensure attendance systems are "effectively managed and improved" for these vulnerable pupils.
- The number of suspensions "remains high," causing some pupils to miss high-quality learning; the school should continue to reduce suspensions and ensure successful reintegration.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.4 |
| 2024/25 | 39.8 |
| 2025/26 | 42.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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