The Grange Academy
Bushey, WD23 3AA · Hertfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
50th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.6/10 against 880 of them, against 4.9/10 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 | 50.3 · 63 | 46% | 2.90 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.29 · 28 | 38% | 1.08 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 48.2 · 61 | 15% | 0.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Grange Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.29, indicating pupils did worse 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 1.6 out of 10 among them, against 2.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Chess, Science, and Modern Languages Film Clubs. Sports include football, basketball, netball, athletics, cricket, dance, handball, and table tennis. Trips cover bushcraft, skiing in Austria, visits to Rome, and London.
Getting in
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 gap between their Progress 8 score and the national benchmark? What specific strategies are used to improve attainment in English and maths? How are the various sports and clubs scheduled to ensure broad access for all year groups?
What Ofsted said about The Grange Academy
Overview
The Grange Academy is described as an "inclusive and caring school" where leaders have a "clear vision for school improvement" that is having a "positive impact." The report highlights significant progress in addressing previous curriculum weaknesses, resulting in pupils who "remember and apply important knowledge" and are better prepared for their future.
Strengths
- Leaders and staff maintain "high expectations" of pupil achievement, reinforced by the school’s values of "knowledge, aspiration and respect."
- Behaviour has improved significantly, with incidents of poor behaviour now "infrequent" and pupils treating one another with "kindness and respect."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "supported well" and "achieve the same success as their classmates."
- The school fosters a "love of reading," providing "well-chosen literature" and "well-matched programmes of support" for those needing help.
- Sixth-form students receive "practical guidance" on topics such as student finance, helping them make "well-informed choices about their futures."
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, teachers do not use assessment strategies sufficiently well to "identify and address gaps in learning" quickly enough.
- Some pupils lack resilience, meaning they "sometimes miss important learning" when facing challenges; the school should ensure all pupils learn to "study effectively."
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 | 37.6 |
| 2024/25 | 41.3 |
| 2025/26 | 48.2 |
| 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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