Townsend Church of England School
St Albans, AL3 6DR · Hertfordshire · secondary school
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54th 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 — 4.6/10 against 879 of them, against 4.3/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 37.4 · 31 | 30% | 0.92 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.14 · 60 | 25% | 1.50 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.9 · 39 | 10% | 0.39 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Townsend Church of England School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in March 2024. In 2024/25, 40.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.14 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils access St Albans Music School and participate in choirs, bands, orchestra, wind groups, and musical theatre.
Getting in
The published school roll is 746 pupils against a stated capacity of 853. 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 partnership with St Albans Music School support pupils who are new to instrumental music? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Townsend Church of England School
Overview
Townsend Church of England School continues to be a good school, where pupils feel "safe, welcomed and valued." The inspection highlights a positive ethos where the "great majority of pupils" display very good behaviour and respect, supported by knowledgeable teaching and effective safeguarding arrangements.
Strengths
- Pupils are "made to feel safe, welcomed and valued," fostering happiness and strong friendships.
- The "behaviour of the great majority of pupils is very good," with sanctions applied "consistently, fairly, and firmly but also with kindness."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "nurtured well" and receive "thoughtful and effective support," including pre-reading texts.
- Teachers possess "good subject knowledge" and present ideas clearly, helping pupils achieve in line with national averages.
- Staff workload and well-being are considered, with assessment procedures made "more manageable and meaningful."
Areas to improve
- In some foundation subjects, planned curriculum changes have not yet taken effect, meaning pupils lack the "depth of knowledge" needed for future study.
- Teachers sometimes emphasise presentation over application, limiting opportunities for pupils to "practise their skills" or engage in discussion, which reduces enthusiasm and support for SEND pupils.
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 | 48.2 |
| 2024/25 | 46.7 |
| 2025/26 | 43.9 |
| 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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