Hertswood Academy
Borehamwood, WD6 5LG · Hertfordshire · secondary school
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71st 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.2/10 against 702 of them, against 2.1/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 28.7 · 13 | 46% | 0.62 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.19 · 36 | 38% | 1.37 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 35.4 · 6 | 15% | 0.09 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Hertswood Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 27.4% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.19 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Culinera Restaurant Service, Young Enterprise, and Hertswood Choir. Sports include basketball, football, and netball. Both a breakfast club and an after-school club are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,144 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,861. 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
Since Progress 8 is below 0, what specific support is offered to pupils who are falling behind in maths? How does the school integrate the Culinera Restaurant Service into the curriculum for all students?
What Ofsted said about Hertswood Academy
Overview
Hertswood Academy is described as a school where pupils feel "safe and happy" within a "secure and supportive environment." Leaders maintain "high expectations" that foster an "ambitious culture," resulting in pupils achieving well and moving on to "worthwhile opportunities." The school has successfully navigated a period of change, implementing effective strategies for behaviour and attendance.
Strengths
- Pupils are "polite, courteous, and behave well," with learning "rarely disrupted."
- The curriculum is well-structured, with teachers using "strong subject knowledge" to deliver content effectively.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "quickly identified" and achieve well through adapted lessons.
- Attendance has improved, and persistent absence is "reducing" due to close work with families.
- Personal development is supported by activities that help pupils understand "diversity" and stay safe.
Areas to improve
- Teachers should facilitate "appropriate discussion of subject content" to help pupils connect and apply learning for long-term memory.
- Staff need better support to "check pupils’ understanding" effectively, ensuring gaps are rectified before moving to new topics.
- The sixth-form programme should build more effectively on learning from Years 7 to 11.
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 | 38.9 |
| 2024/25 | 38.3 |
| 2025/26 | 35.4 |
| 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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