SchoolScoresGracewood Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of FUTURE ACADEMIES
Church Road, Rothwell, Potters Bar, EN6 1EZ
01707 655512 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 2 November 2022. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
79 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 137224), before it changed to its current form.
27% — 27 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 27% | 53% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 36.1 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.0 | 4.6 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
69 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 137224), before it changed to its current form.
87% — 8 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 36% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 42% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 87% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
17 A level students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 137224), before it changed to its current form.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 18% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 34% | 58% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 26.1 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
11 subjects, 44 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 11 | 0% | 27% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 7 | 0% | 29% | 30% |
| Physics | 6 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Design and Technology (Product Design), Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Photography), Biology, History, Film Studies, Government and Politics.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
56 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 137224), before it changed to its current form.
77% — 5 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 77% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 25% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 83% | 77% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
27 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 137224), before it changed to its current form.
63% — about the same as the Hertfordshire average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 63% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 4% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 55% | 63% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Hertfordshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 108 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 31 |
| Of those, offered a place | 31 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 110 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.5 · 2026: 0.3
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 15th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.7% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 24th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.7% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 11th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.6% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 44th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 80th lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 4% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.2% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 81st lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 3% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 40.5% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | Not published | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | Not published | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | Not published | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher | Not published | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | Not published | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 82% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 20.6% | 12.7%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Lochinver House School 0.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Queenswood School 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 30% A*/A at A level
- Dame Alice Owen's School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 88% grade 5+ English and maths
- St John's Preparatory and Senior School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 40% A*/A at A level
- Chancellor's School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mount House School 2.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 16% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Gracewood Academy's Ofsted rating?
Gracewood Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 November 2022.
How did Gracewood Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 27% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 19 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Gracewood Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 31 families put Gracewood Academy as their first choice for 108 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 31 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 152099.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.