Roundwood Park School
Harpenden, AL5 3AE · Hertfordshire · secondary school
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7th 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 321 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.2/10 among them, against 9.2/10 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 | 72.5 · 92 | 30% | 2.75 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.79 · 94 | 25% | 2.34 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 59.1 · 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.
Roundwood Park School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.0% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 59.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.79 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in January 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.6 out of 10 among them, against 9.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join Art Club and Warhammer Club, and play netball, football, rugby, basketball, trampolining, dance, cricket, and athletics. Trips include visits to Ironbridge museum, the National Space Centre, Geneva, Berlin, and Iceland. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,421 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,179. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are club places allocated if demand exceeds availability?
What Ofsted said about Roundwood Park School
Overview
Roundwood Park School is described as ‘a place to flourish’ where pupils experience a ‘high quality of education’. Leaders have ‘systematically put in place a school of exceptional quality’, ensuring that pupils meet ‘exceptionally high expectations’ for their work, personal development, and behaviour. The report highlights that pupils are happy, feel safe, and benefit from a ‘broad and ambitious curriculum’ that prepares them exceptionally well for future steps.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘highly ambitious’ and ‘broad and rich’, with subject leaders outlining precisely what pupils must know, delivered by ‘expert teachers’ in small steps.
- Pupils develop into ‘resourceful, reflective, responsible and resilient individuals’ through the ‘highly effective’ ASPIRE programme and a strong culture of reading.
- Behaviour is ‘exemplary’, with pupils treating each other and staff with respect; ‘low-level disruption is very rare’.
- Sixth-form students act as ‘excellent role models’, leading house activities, tutoring younger pupils, and supporting initiatives such as sustainability.
- Staff feel ‘very well supported’ and ‘valued’, with leaders praised for looking after staff well-being and workload.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 62.5 |
| 2024/25 | 59.5 |
| 2025/26 | 59.1 |
| 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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