Goffs - Churchgate Academy
Waltham Cross, EN8 9LY · Hertfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
58th 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 — 7.2/10 against 678 of them, against 5.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 41.9 · 42 | 30% | 1.26 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.37 · 77 | 25% | 1.93 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.2 · 40 | 10% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Goffs - Churchgate Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.37 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.5 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in June 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 582 pupils against a stated capacity of 600. 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 new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities? What support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Goffs - Churchgate Academy
Overview
Goffs - Churchgate Academy is described as a "caring, inclusive school" where pupils are "valued and supported." Leaders have successfully raised expectations and restored confidence following a period of turbulence, creating a positive environment where pupils feel safe and belong. The report notes that while historic staffing issues caused inconsistent learning, leaders’ actions have improved the quality of teaching and behaviour.
Strengths
- Staff "know pupils well" and make "effective, and often precise, adaptations" to help those with barriers to learning access the curriculum.
- Behaviour is "calm" and disruption is "rare," with a clear policy that has significantly reduced suspensions.
- Pupils "progress well from their starting points" and are "well prepared for their next steps" in education or employment.
- There is a "positive sense of community," with pupils enjoying a broad curriculum and engaging in leadership opportunities and clubs.
- Leaders use pupil premium funding "well-judged" to ensure disadvantaged pupils can "fully access the opportunities on offer."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure checks on pupils’ learning are used "systematically" to identify gaps and inform subsequent teaching.
- Leaders should build on their work to ensure pupils "achieve highly across the curriculum."
- Leaders should "widen the enrichment programme" to develop pupils’ independence and broaden their interests.
- Leaders should focus on improving the attendance of "key groups."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed," ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.6 |
| 2024/25 | 42.6 |
| 2025/26 | 44.2 |
| 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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