Stanborough School
Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6YR · Hertfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
40th 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 882 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.1/10 among them, against 6.6/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 52.4 · 68 | 30% | 2.03 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.18 · 63 | 25% | 1.58 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.3 · 67 | 10% | 0.67 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Stanborough School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.18 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.1 out of 10 among them, against 6.6 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Rugby, Football, Athletics, Volleyball, Netball, Striking and fielding, Ultimate frisbee, and Lacrosse. They also access the Sports Leadership Programme, Community Sports Leaders Award, and Higher Sports Leaders Award.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,287 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,419. 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 maintain progress beyond Key Stage 4? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How are the various sports teams structured for different skill levels?
What Ofsted said about Stanborough School
Overview
The report states that pupils achieve well and are prepared for their next steps within a culture of ‘success for all’. Leaders have successfully redesigned the curriculum to be academically ambitious, with most pupils entering English Baccalaureate subjects. The school has improved significantly since its previous inspection, with governors now effectively challenging and supporting leaders.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘academically ambitious’ and ‘broad and balanced’, enabling pupils to pursue talents and interests, including through sixth-form consortium arrangements.
- Teachers present subject matter clearly and adapt teaching to meet needs, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities access the same curriculum.
- Pupils benefit from effective support services, including counselling, well-being support, and help to resolve rare instances of bullying.
- There is a ‘coherent and well-planned programme of careers education’ from Year 7 to Year 13, enhanced by work experience and individual guidance.
- Difference is celebrated through cultural events and pupil leadership opportunities, fostering mutual respect and tolerance.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure curriculum planning is consistent across all subjects so that pupils ‘retain important knowledge and achieve consistently well’.
- Leaders need to continue developing pupils’ ability to manage their own behaviour, particularly when unsupervised, to ensure they ‘behave consistently well at all times’.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’, with staff receiving appropriate training and pupils having trusted adults to report concerns to.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.5 |
| 2024/25 | 47.9 |
| 2025/26 | 49.3 |
| 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 AL8 6YR, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT