Presdales School
Ware, SG12 9NX · Hertfordshire · secondary school
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14th 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 the 430 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.4/10 among them, against 9.0/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 70.3 · 90 | 30% | 2.72 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.61 · 88 | 25% | 2.21 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 58.7 · 91 | 10% | 0.91 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Presdales School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 69.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 58.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.61 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.4 out of 10 among them, against 9.0 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, World Challenge Expeditions, National Mock Trial, Young Enterprise, Model United Nations, and GCSE Art clubs. Sports include athletics, badminton, basketball, dance, football, gymnastics, handball, and hockey. Arts and music offer a school play, choirs, orchestra, concert band, and rock and pop school. Trips go to Düsseldorf, Köln, Berlin, Italy, France, Krakow, and New York. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,167 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,061. 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 manage class
What Ofsted said about Presdales School
Overview
Pupils “thrive at Presdales School,” benefiting from a “highly ambitious curriculum” and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities that foster confident, active citizenship. The inspection found that staff maintain “very high expectations” of learning and conduct, resulting in pupils who “commit themselves wholeheartedly to their learning” and achieve highly across all abilities.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “carefully designed,” with teachers introducing knowledge in chunks and regularly revisiting previous learning to ensure it “sticks in their memory.”
- Staff “know the needs of their pupils very well,” adapting teaching with “great skill” so that all pupils, including those with SEND, access learning successfully.
- Reading is prioritised and “celebrated,” with effective support provided to help pupils become “fluent and accurate readers.”
- Sixth-form students receive an “exceptional education,” developing skills as scholars and contributing to the community as mentors to younger pupils.
- Pupils behave “exceptionally well,” demonstrating kindness and politeness, while staff provide personalised support to ensure regular attendance.
Areas to improve
The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
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 | 58.8 |
| 2024/25 | 58.9 |
| 2025/26 | 58.7 |
| 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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