SchoolScoresKing James Academy Royston
Academy · All-through, ages 9 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THE DIAMOND LEARNING PARTNERSHIP TRUST
Garden Walk, Royston, SG8 7JH
01763 242236 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 23 April 2024.
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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
270 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Hertfordshire comparisons use the 51 of its 82 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 31 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 46th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 90% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 45th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 30% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 49th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 12% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51% | 85% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 116 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 46th highest of 50 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 22% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 39% | 53% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 232 parents who had raised a concern 49th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 15% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 51% | 78% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 49th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 12% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53%said yes | 87% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Hertfordshire figures pool parents at the Hertfordshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
163 pupils in this year group.
51% — 13 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 51% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 2% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 72% | 79% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 73% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 59% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 107 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 102 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
93 pupils in this year group.
34% — 19 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 34% | 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. | 40.3 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 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.
119 pupils in this year group.
92% — 3 points below the Hertfordshire average, and about the same as 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. | 92% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 5% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 41% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 41% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 92% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. 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.
12 students in this year group.
100% — 18 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 21 points above 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. | 100% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 8% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 100% | 100% |
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.
10 students in this year group.
80% — 17 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 20 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 80% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 10% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 79% | 80% |
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 | 6 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 3 |
| Of those, offered a place | 3 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 18 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.0 · 2025: 0.0 · 2026: 0.5
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 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.0% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.6% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.4% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.5% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Lower than 59% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Lower than 65% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.5% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Lower than 32% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 23.2 | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Lower than 44% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.21% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Higher than 69% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.7 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Higher than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.3 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Royston. Higher than 43% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1% | 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
- Bassingbourn Village College 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Melbourn Village College 2.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is King James Academy Royston's Ofsted rating?
King James Academy Royston was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 23 April 2024.
How did King James Academy Royston do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 34% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend King James Academy Royston?
53% of the 270 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend King James Academy Royston to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is King James Academy Royston oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 3 families put King James Academy Royston as their first choice for 6 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 3 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 137656.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.