Saint Michael's Catholic High School
Watford, WD25 0SS · Hertfordshire · secondary school
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46th 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 697 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.4/10 among them, against 5.4/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 43.3 · 45 | 46% | 2.10 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.13 · 59 | 38% | 2.27 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.8 · 64 | 15% | 0.99 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Saint Michael's Catholic High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.13 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.6 out of 10 among them, against 6.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs for board games, chess, clay modelling, cookery, Japanese, gardening, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Sports include athletics, dance, football, rugby, gymnastics, netball, hockey, and cross-country. The school choir and orchestra provide musical opportunities. Trips include a pilgrimage to Lourdes, a ski trip, Harry Potter World, and Disneyland Paris. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,130 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,103. 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 the various clubs and trips
What Ofsted said about Saint Michael's Catholic High School
Overview
Pupils are proud members of an inclusive community where they enjoy school and develop into "well-rounded members of the community." The school delivers a "broad and ambitious curriculum" with highly positive behaviour, though inconsistencies in checking understanding mean some pupils lack a "secure understanding of new learning."
Strengths
- Pupils display "highly positive" behaviour, managing their conduct with maturity and treating others with "courtesy and kindness."
- The curriculum is clear, with knowledge that "builds up gradually" as pupils progress, supported by teachers’ "expert subject knowledge."
- Sixth-form students are "very well equipped" for future education or employment, benefiting from strong pastoral care and effective careers advice.
- Leaders have made "decisive decisions" to improve the school day and curriculum clarity, resulting in high attendance rates.
- The personal development programme ensures pupils are "well prepared for life in a changing modern Britain," including understanding democracy and citizenship.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must consistently check pupils’ understanding before moving on to new learning to ensure "misconceptions go unaddressed" does not impact progress.
- The school should ensure all staff are skilled in "identifying and swiftly addressing any insecure knowledge" so pupils achieve their potential.
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 | 51.2 |
| 2024/25 | 50.9 |
| 2025/26 | 48.8 |
| 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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