SchoolScoresWatford Grammar School for Boys
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Church of England · Sixth form
Part of WATFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD18 7JF
01923 208900 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 14 April 2026 , published 7 June 2026.
In short: 6 exceptional, 1 strong, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
222 pupils in this year group.
83% — 30 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 38 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 83% | 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. | 68.9 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 6.8 | 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.
227 pupils in this year group.
99% — 4 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 7 points above 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. | 99% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 84% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 10% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | Not published | 2% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 99% | 99% |
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
245 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 37% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 66% | 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. | 39.6 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
27 subjects, 801 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 186 | 21% | 49% | 40% |
| Economics | 111 | 6% | 25% | 26% |
| Physics | 75 | 16% | 31% | 31% |
| Chemistry | 66 | 9% | 23% | 30% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 53 | 28% | 49% | 59% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 48 | 8% | 35% | 24% |
| Psychology | 48 | 4% | 13% | 19% |
| Biology | 47 | 6% | 30% | 27% |
| Geography | 33 | 15% | 45% | 23% |
| History | 32 | 13% | 34% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 28 | 21% | 36% | 26% |
| English Literature | 11 | 27% | 73% | 23% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 9 | 0% | 22% | 15% |
| Religious Studies | 9 | 22% | 44% | 22% |
| Music | 8 | 50% | 63% | 29% |
| Film Studies | 6 | 0% | 33% | 17% |
| French | 6 | 17% | 50% | 38% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Language and Literature, Physical Education / Sports Studies, German, Latin, Spanish, Ancient History, Art and Design, Modern Greek, Russian, Turkish.
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.
218 students in this year group.
89% — 7 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 10 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. | 89% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 9% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 89% |
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.
196 students in this year group.
89% — 26 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 29 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 89% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 56% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 89% |
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 about 2 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 211 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 396 |
| Of those, offered a place | 173 (44%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 953 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.7 · 2025: 1.8 · 2026: 1.9
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.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.7% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.8% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Lower than 72% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Lower than 60% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.5% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Lower than 92% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.5 | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Lower than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.8% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Higher than 30% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Watford. Higher than 36% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2% | 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
- Westfield Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Watford Grammar School for Girls 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 83% grade 5+ English and maths
- Croxley Danes School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Merchant Taylors' School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 69% A*/A at A level
- Rickmansworth School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 81% grade 5+ English and maths
- Queens' School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 68% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Grange Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 32% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Purcell School 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 32% A*/A at A level
- Stanborough Secondary School 2.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 0% A*/A at A level
- Saint Joan of Arc Catholic School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Watford Grammar School for Boys's Ofsted rating?
Watford Grammar School for Boys was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 14 April 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 6 exceptional, 1 strong, and safeguarding was met.
How did Watford Grammar School for Boys do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 83% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 38 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Watford Grammar School for Boys oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 396 families put Watford Grammar School for Boys as their first choice for 211 places: about 2 first-choice applications for every place. 173 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 136276.
- 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.