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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 117552

The Astley Cooper School

Community school · Hemel Hempstead · HP2 7HL

Ages 11–18 · 914 pupils · Hertfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

37.2

Overall absence

12.7%

Admissions demand

0.90 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-04-28

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

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 8-0.60
−20+2
Attainment 837.2
English & maths grade 5+33%
English & maths grade 4+49%
EBacc entry18%

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 absence12.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)37.9%
Unauthorised4.9%
Authorised absence
7.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
7.0%
Enrolments in measure
911

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary 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

0.90 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

141

Places offered

182

1st-preference offers

141

Total preferences (any rank)
285
Preferred offers (top 3)
159
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

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).

Capacity fill87%

914 pupils · 1,055 places

Pupils on roll
914
Boys / girls
469 / 445
School capacity
1,055
Capacity fill
914 / 1,055 (87%)
Free school meals
34.3%
FSM pupils
282
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mr Sam Orsborne

Location

Address
St Agnell's Lane
Postcode
HP2 7HL
Town
Hemel Hempstead
County
Hertfordshire
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
Dacorum
Constituency
Hemel Hempstead
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 community school (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, 914 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 34.3%.

Open schools in Hemel Hempstead
50
Secondary schools in Hemel Hempstead
6
Academies among open schools in Hemel Hempstead
26% (13)
Open schools in HP2
19
Secondary in HP2
2
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 Hemel HempsteadNear HP2

  • The Adeyfield Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Hemel Hempstead · HP2 4DE · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att829.2
    • P8-1.0
    • EM5+17%
    • Absence11.1%

    1.6 miles away

  • Laureate Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Hemel Hempstead · HP1 3DW · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att841.7
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+35%
    • Absence14.8%

    2.0 miles away

  • The Hemel Hempstead School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Hemel Hempstead · HP1 1TX · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att847.8
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+46%
    • Absence7.6%

    2.3 miles away

  • Longdean School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Hemel Hempstead · HP3 8JB · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att842.5
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+34%
    • Absence8.8%

    2.3 miles away

  • John F Kennedy Catholic School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Hemel Hempstead · HP1 2PH · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att850.9
    • P80.1
    • EM5+56%
    • Absence7.4%

    2.5 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Sam Orsborne
Telephone
01442394141
Website
http://www.astleycooper.herts.sch.uk

Official links