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OpenSecondaryOfsted: ExceptionalURN 136276

Watford Grammar School for Boys

Academy converter · Watford · WD18 7JF

Ages 11–18 · 1,590 pupils · Hertfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Exceptional

Attainment 8

66.5

Overall absence

6.8%

Admissions demand

1.70 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Exceptional

Inspection date

2026-04-14

  • AchievementExceptional
  • Curriculum and teachingExceptional
  • InclusionExceptional
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExceptional
  • Leadership and governanceExceptional

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+0.72
−20+2
Attainment 866.5
English & maths grade 5+85%
English & maths grade 4+92%
EBacc entry96%

EBacc APS: 6.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence6.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)21.3%
Unauthorised0.7%
Authorised absence
6.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.1%
Enrolments in measure
1,132

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

1.70 · Competitive

1st preferences

363

Places offered

214

1st-preference offers

173

Total preferences (any rank)
935
Preferred offers (top 3)
214
Applications from outside LA
283
Offers to outside-LA applicants
41
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 fill106%

1,590 pupils · 1,496 places

Pupils on roll
1,590
Boys / girls
1,590 / 0
School capacity
1,496
Capacity fill
1,590 / 1,496 (106%)
Free school meals
6.5%
FSM pupils
73
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Boys
School type
Academy converter

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

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese is not trustees
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: WATFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Academy trust
WATFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Sponsor
Watford Grammar School for Boys
Headteacher
Mr Ian Cooksey

Location

Address
Rickmansworth Road
Postcode
WD18 7JF
Town
Watford
County
Hertfordshire
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
Watford
Constituency
Watford
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.

Boys academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Watford, Hertfordshire, 1,590 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 6.5%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese is not trustees.

Open schools in Watford
52
Secondary schools in Watford
6
Academies among open schools in Watford
37% (19)
Open schools in WD18
12
Secondary in WD18
3
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 WatfordNear WD18

  • Westfield Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Watford · WD18 6NS · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att840.4
    • P8-0.0
    • EM5+25%
    • Absence9.1%

    0.5 miles away

  • Watford Grammar School for Girls

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Watford · WD18 0AE · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att866.9
    • P80.7
    • EM5+81%
    • Absence7.2%

    0.7 miles away

  • Croxley Danes School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Free schools · Secondary

    Rickmansworth · WD3 3LR · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att849.7
    • P80.1
    • EM5+47%
    • Absence8.1%

    0.8 miles away

  • Rickmansworth School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Rickmansworth · WD3 3AQ · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att858.0
    • P80.3
    • EM5+73%
    • Absence5.2%

    1.9 miles away

  • Queens' School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bushey · WD23 2TY · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att853.5
    • P80.2
    • EM5+63%
    • Absence5.7%

    2.0 miles away

  • The Grange Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bushey · WD23 3AA · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att837.6
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+33%
    • Absence8.6%

    2.0 miles away

  • Saint Joan of Arc Catholic School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Rickmansworth · WD3 1HG · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att851.9
    • P80.3
    • EM5+62%
    • Absence7.9%

    2.4 miles away

  • Bushey Meads School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bushey · WD23 4PA · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att842.1
    • P8-0.5
    • EM5+41%
    • Absence14.1%

    2.8 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Ian Cooksey
Telephone
01923208900
Website
http://www.watfordboys.org

Official links