Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #52 in Hertfordshire public Top 22% UK

Townsend Church of England School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Anthony Flack

location_onSt Albans, AL3 6DR

language Visit Website phone 1727853047

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

768

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.7

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GCSE Rank

#52 in Hertfordshire

#1,418 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Townsend Church of England School is a Voluntary aided school secondary school in St Albans, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Townsend Church of England School is a voluntary aided school in St Albans, Hertfordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 756 pupils on roll, of whom 25% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.7, placing the school #52 in Hertfordshire and #1,418 of 3,216 nationally. 40.10% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 19.9% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 15 A-level subjects. 34.5% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 9.5% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.02 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.5× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 13.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 4 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 15.1 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

46.7

Grade 5+ E&M

40.10%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)19.9%

Entering EBacc16.80%

EBacc APS3.92

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc13.60%

EBacc APS4.03

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.10

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.0

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19%

EBacc APS4.22

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc9%

EBacc APS3.86

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.2

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc22%

EBacc APS4.13

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.32

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc13%

EBacc APS3.98

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.02

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*–A9.5%

Achieving A*–B34.5%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate87.1%

A-level subjects offered15

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.18

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate93.00%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate97.40%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate90.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

23 January 2024

Inspection Report

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15 May 2018

Inspection Report

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16 December 2014

Inspection Report

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28 February 2013

Inspection Report

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16 January 2013

Inspection Report

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11 May 2011

Inspection Report

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12 March 2008

Inspection Report

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01 March 2004

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2018-05-15

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2014-12-16

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-01-16

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

16.3%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

9.5%(72 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

3pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 756 pupils. During this period, there were 123 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 16.3%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	756	123	16.3%	7.3%	3
2024/25 (Autumn term)	765	107	14.0%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	779	92	11.8%	7.4%	4
2023/24 (Spring term)	779	64	8.2%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	766	113	14.8%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	770	49	6.4%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	768	41	5.3%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	775	35	4.5%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	764	48	6.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	764	41	5.4%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	767	28	3.7%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	742	19	2.6%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	746	4	0.5%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	752	16	2.1%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	682	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	682	17	2.5%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	689	15	2.2%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	634	5	0.8%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	641	5	0.8%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	644	18	2.8%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	619	7	1.1%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	619	13	2.1%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	631	6	1.0%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	582	10	1.7%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	583	12	2.1%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	589	10	1.7%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 56 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 53 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 37 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 15 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 13 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

92.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

92.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

28.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree42%

agree46%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree35%

agree47%

disagree12%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree44%

agree23%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

not applicable23%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes27%

no73%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree45%

agree31%

disagree14%

strongly disagree5%

dont know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree40%

agree46%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree39%

agree49%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree43%

agree44%

disagree9%

strongly disagree3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree41%

agree51%

disagree6%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree46%

agree44%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree38%

agree46%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes93%

no7%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Faith Priority (Church of England)

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Hertfordshire

Dame Alice Owen's School

Watford Grammar School for Boys

Watford Grammar School for Girls

Parmiter's School

St Clement Danes School

Sandringham School