Ridgeway Academy
Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2AF · Hertfordshire · secondary school
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76th 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 — 1.2/10 against 689 of them, against 1.3/10 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 | 27.3 · 10 | 46% | 0.49 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.47 · 17 | 38% | 0.66 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.4 · 10 | 15% | 0.16 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ridgeway Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 24.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 35.7, against a national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.47 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 (1.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Key Stage Three Dance Club, Musical Theatre club, cycling, martial arts, and the Whole-School Musical. The school organises expeditions overseas through Camps International and provides an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 875 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,220. 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 attainment gap with the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming for the Duke of Edinburgh Award? How does the after-school club integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Ridgeway Academy
Overview
Ridgeway Academy is described as an inclusive school where pupils feel "happy and supported" and consistently embody core values of "respect, responsibility and relationships." The inspection highlights significant improvements since the previous visit, with staff delivering an "ambitious curriculum" in calm, well-structured lessons. While the quality of education, behaviour, personal development, leadership, and sixth-form provision are all judged as Good, the report notes that published outcomes have not yet fully reflected the positive changes made.
Strengths
- Pupils engage well with learning in "calm" lessons where staff provide "clear explanations" and effectively support those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- The school prioritises reading, with effective support helping pupils to "make rapid progress in their ability to read with confidence."
- Positive relationships and consistent behaviour policies have led to reducing suspensions, with staff trusted to take action when behaviour falls short.
- Sixth-form students access a "well-thought-out programme" that supports their personal development and prepares them for future employment or education.
- Leaders and staff are "passionate about providing the best they can for pupils," with a clear shared vision and consideration for staff workload.
Areas to improve
- A small number of subject curriculums require refinement to ensure key knowledge is identified and taught in a logical order.
- Staff must systematically check what pupils remember more precisely to identify and address gaps in knowledge quickly.
- The school should strengthen strategies to reduce absences, as many pupils and sixth-form students miss "valuable learning time."
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.9 |
| 2024/25 | 35.7 |
| 2025/26 | 37.4 |
| 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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