Rickmansworth School
Rickmansworth, WD3 3AQ · Hertfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
15th 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 251 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.8/10 among them, against 8.6/10 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 | 79.2 · 94 | 30% | 2.83 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.3 · 73 | 25% | 1.82 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 63.7 · 95 | 10% | 0.95 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Rickmansworth School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 80.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 61.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.3 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in October 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.8 out of 10 among them, against 8.6 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,575 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,575. 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
With the school at full capacity, how does the admissions process handle oversubscription for the next entry year? Since the similar-intake comparison shows a lower score than the national figure, what specific support is provided to ensure pupils make expected progress? How does the school maintain its Outstanding Ofsted rating while managing a full roll?
What Ofsted said about Rickmansworth School
Overview
Rickmansworth School provides an outstanding education where pupils are “very happy and highly enthusiastic about attending school.” Leaders set “exceptionally high expectations” for work, behaviour, and personal development, resulting in a culture where pupils are “resourceful and resilient.” The school is judged as Outstanding across all main categories, with sixth-form provision rated Good.
Strengths
- The “highly ambitious curriculum” prepares pupils “exceptionally well for the next steps in their education,” leading to “exceptional outcomes” up to the end of key stage 4.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access the same ambitious curriculum and “achieve as highly as their peers” thanks to expert teaching and resources.
- Behaviour is “exemplary,” with pupils conducting themselves responsibly and displaying “strong friendships” and positive relationships with teachers.
- There is a “strong culture of reading,” where struggling readers receive targeted support, including from sixth-form volunteers, helping them “catch up quickly.”
- Staff feel “highly valued,” with leaders praised for looking after their well-being and workload, while governors provide effective support and challenge.
Areas to improve
- In the sixth form, “more recently introduced curriculum areas are not taught with the high levels of consistency seen elsewhere,” resulting in lower performance in a small number of subjects.
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 | 58.0 |
| 2024/25 | 61.2 |
| 2025/26 | 63.7 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of WD3 3AQ, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT