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OpenOfsted: Expected standardURN 117674

Batchwood School

Community special school · St Albans · AL3 5RP

Ages 11–16 · 111 pupils · Hertfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

8.7

Overall absence

23.8%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-04-14

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-2.09
−20+2
Attainment 88.7
English & maths grade 5+5%
English & maths grade 4+5%
EBacc entry0%

EBacc APS: 0.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence23.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)55.0%
Unauthorised4.2%
Authorised absence
19.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
20.7%
Enrolments in measure
111

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill103%

111 pupils · 108 places

Pupils on roll
111
Boys / girls
71 / 40
School capacity
108
Capacity fill
111 / 108 (103%)
Free school meals
50.5%
FSM pupils
56
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community special school

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Community special school
Headteacher
Mr Ross Whitaker

Location

Address
Townsend Drive
Postcode
AL3 5RP
Town
St Albans
County
Hertfordshire
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
St Albans
Constituency
St Albans
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Special classes
Has Special Classes

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community special school, Ages 11–16, in St Albans, Hertfordshire, 111 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school. Free school meals: 50.5%. SEN provision includes: SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health.

Open schools in St Albans
59
Academies among open schools in St Albans
37% (22)
Open schools in AL3
18
Open schools in Hertfordshire LA
591

Nearby schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in St AlbansNear AL3

  • Heathlands School

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Community special school

    St Albans · AL3 5AY · Hertfordshire

    Ages 3–18

    • Att834.3
    • P80.9
    • EM5+15%
    • Absence8.9%

    0.4 miles away

  • Margaret Wix Primary School

    Ofsted: Improved significantly

    Community school · Primary

    St Albans · AL3 6EL · Hertfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS256%
    • Absence6.1%
    • FSM27.5%

    0.4 miles away

  • St Albans Girls' School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    St Albans · AL3 6DB · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att856.6
    • P80.6
    • EM5+61%
    • Absence7.1%

    0.5 miles away

  • Bernards Heath Junior School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    St Albans · AL3 5HP · Hertfordshire

    Ages 7–11

    • KS279%
    • Absence4.0%
    • FSM7.6%

    0.5 miles away

  • Townsend Church of England School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    St Albans · AL3 6DR · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att848.2
    • P80.1
    • EM5+51%
    • Absence12.3%

    0.6 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Ross Whitaker
Telephone
01727868021
Website
www.batchwood.herts.sch.uk

Official links