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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Improved significantlyURN 143648

Harpenden Academy

Free schools · Harpenden · AL5 4EL

Ages 4–11 · 216 pupils · Hertfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Improved significantly

KS2 expected (RWM)

82%

Overall absence

4.2%

Admissions demand

0.93 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Improved significantly

Inspection date

2025-03-09

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)82%
Higher standard (RWM)12%
Avg scaled score — reading
108.0
Avg scaled score — maths
108.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
110.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence4.2%
Persistent absence (10%+)10.0%
Unauthorised0.8%
Authorised absence
3.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.5%
Enrolments in measure
190

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.93 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

25

Places offered

27

1st-preference offers

25

Total preferences (any rank)
113
Preferred offers (top 3)
27
Applications from outside LA
17
Offers to outside-LA applicants
8

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Pupils on roll
216
Boys / girls
97 / 119
Free school meals
5.1%
FSM pupils
11
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Academy trust
SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Sponsor
Scholars' Education Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Lisa Davies

Location

Address
25 Vaughan Road
Postcode
AL5 4EL
Town
Harpenden
County
Hertfordshire
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
St Albans
Constituency
Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

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

Mixed free schools (primary), Ages 4–11, in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, 216 pupils on roll. Free school meals: 5.1%.

Open schools in Harpenden
20
Primary schools in Harpenden
13
Academies among open schools in Harpenden
30% (6)
Open schools in AL5
21
Primary in AL5
13
Open schools in Hertfordshire LA
591
Primary in Hertfordshire LA
401

Nearby primary schools

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

Compare with theseAll in HarpendenNear AL5

  • St Nicholas CofE VA Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Harpenden · AL5 2TP · Hertfordshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS268%
    • Absence3.4%
    • FSM4.0%
    • Demand0.86

    0.2 miles away

  • Crabtree Infants' School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Primary

    Harpenden · AL5 5PU · Hertfordshire

    Ages 4–7

    • Absence3.0%
    • FSM1.7%
    • Demand1.44

    0.5 miles away

  • Crabtree Junior School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Primary

    Harpenden · AL5 5PU · Hertfordshire

    Ages 7–11

    • KS285%
    • Absence3.7%
    • FSM0.8%

    0.6 miles away

  • Manland Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next

    Community school · Primary

    Harpenden · AL5 4QW · Hertfordshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS287%
    • Absence3.8%
    • FSM3.4%
    • Demand1.20

    0.6 miles away

  • High Beeches Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Community school · Primary

    Harpenden · AL5 5SD · Hertfordshire

    Ages 5–11

    • KS275%
    • Absence3.0%
    • FSM3.3%
    • Demand1.20

    0.7 miles away

  • Roundwood Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Community school · Primary

    Harpenden · AL5 3AD · Hertfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS284%
    • Absence4.1%
    • FSM2.7%
    • Demand0.91

    0.8 miles away

  • The Grove Junior School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Community school · Primary

    Harpenden · AL5 1QB · Hertfordshire

    Ages 7–11

    • KS277%
    • Absence3.4%
    • FSM9.1%

    0.8 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Lisa Davies
Telephone
01582716910
Website
www.harpendenacademy.co.uk

Official links