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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Not judgedURN 146305

Ridgeway Academy

Academy sponsor led · Welwyn Garden City · AL7 2AF

Ages 11–18 · 875 pupils · Hertfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Not judged

Attainment 8

37.9

Overall absence

13.7%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Not judged

Inspection date

2025-06-03

Overall effectiveness
Not judged
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.47
−20+2
Attainment 837.9
English & maths grade 5+27%
English & maths grade 4+51%
EBacc entry8%

EBacc APS: 3.1

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence13.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)34.1%
Unauthorised8.0%
Authorised absence
5.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
9.2%
Enrolments in measure
918

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 fill72%

875 pupils · 1,220 places

Pupils on roll
875
Boys / girls
442 / 433
School capacity
1,220
Capacity fill
875 / 1,220 (72%)
Free school meals
33.5%
FSM pupils
260
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: AMBITION EDUCATION TRUST
Academy trust
AMBITION EDUCATION TRUST
Sponsor
Ambition Education Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Mitcherson

Location

Address
Herns Lane
Postcode
AL7 2AF
Town
Welwyn Garden City
County
Hertfordshire
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
Welwyn Hatfield
Constituency
Welwyn Hatfield
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 academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 875 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 33.5%.

Open schools in Welwyn Garden City
23
Secondary schools in Welwyn Garden City
3
Academies among open schools in Welwyn Garden City
48% (11)
Open schools in AL7
14
Secondary in AL7
1
Open schools in Hertfordshire LA
591
Secondary in Hertfordshire LA
77

Nearby secondary schools

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

Compare with theseAll in Welwyn Garden CityNear AL7

  • Monk's Walk School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL8 7NL · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att850.4
    • P80.2
    • EM5+53%
    • Absence8.1%

    1.8 miles away

  • Stanborough School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL8 6YR · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att846.5
    • P80.2
    • EM5+48%
    • Absence6.6%

    1.9 miles away

  • Panshanger Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 1QY · Hertfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS257%
    • Absence5.0%
    • FSM11.5%

    0.1 miles away

  • Watchlytes Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 2AZ · Hertfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • Absence6.1%
    • FSM33.3%

    0.3 miles away

  • Springmead Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 2HB · Hertfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS262%
    • Absence4.6%
    • FSM24.2%

    0.4 miles away

  • Waterside Academy

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 1NZ · Hertfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • KS271%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM43.9%

    0.7 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Sarah Mitcherson
Telephone
01707351350
Website
https://ridgeway.herts.sch.uk/

Official links