Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up High Demand emoji_events #3 in Hertfordshire public Top 2% UK

Watford Grammar School for Girls

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

personMiss Sylvia Tai

corporate_fareWATFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS

location_onWatford, WD18 0AE

language Visit Website phone 1923223403

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,451

trending_up

Attainment 8

68.2

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#3 in Hertfordshire

#124 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Watford Grammar School for Girls is a Academy converter secondary school in Watford, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Highly competitive: 1.7× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

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School Summary

Watford Grammar School for Girls is an academy converter in Watford, Hertfordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of WATFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. The school has approximately 1,429 pupils on roll, of whom 7% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 68.2, placing the school #3 in Hertfordshire and #124 of 3,216 nationally. 83.20% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 57.7% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 26 A-level subjects. 67.4% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 40.3% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.05 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.7× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.0:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 1.5 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

68.2

Grade 5+ E&M

83.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)57.7%

Entering EBacc75.50%

EBacc APS6.38

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.74

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

66.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc75.10%

EBacc APS6.26

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.70

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

67.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc78%

EBacc APS6.36

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.9

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc75%

EBacc APS6.81

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc64%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.97

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc75%

EBacc APS6.64

2018

Progress 8 Score

1.02

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

74.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc79%

EBacc APS7.1

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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

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)98%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)98%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)99%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

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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

-0.05

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

207

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*10.8%

Achieving A*–A40.3%

Achieving A*–B67.4%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate98.6%

A-level subjects offered26

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.05

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

199

Retention rate98.50%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

212

Retention rate95.80%

2022

Avg Grade

B+

Students

199

Retention rate98.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

05 March 2024

Inspection Report

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13 March 2012

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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07 January 2011

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2024-03-05

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2007-10-03

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

0.8%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.6%(8 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,429 pupils. During this period, there were 12 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.8%, which is below 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)	1,429	12	0.8%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,426	31	2.2%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,448	19	1.3%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,451	24	1.7%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,452	13	0.9%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,452	9	0.6%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,451	6	0.4%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,450	7	0.5%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,429	5	0.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,432	2	0.1%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,436	9	0.6%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,401	2	0.1%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,403	2	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,404	0	0.0%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,365	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,365	3	0.2%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,363	6	0.4%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,284	0	0.0%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,285	3	0.2%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,288	2	0.2%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,260	3	0.2%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,261	0	0.0%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,262	0	0.0%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,308	3	0.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,310	7	0.5%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,312	13	1.0%	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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psychology_alt

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.

Specific Learning Difficulty 25 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 17 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 11 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 8 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

89.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

91.0%Positive

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

14.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree46%

agree41%

disagree7%

strongly disagree4%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree33%

agree43%

disagree17%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree29%

agree19%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

not applicable43%

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

yes11%

no89%

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

strongly agree67%

agree27%

disagree3%

strongly disagree3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree58%

agree33%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree54%

agree40%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree51%

agree42%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree44%

agree44%

disagree9%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree66%

agree31%

disagree3%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree47%

agree38%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

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

Parmiter's School

St Clement Danes School

Sandringham School

Beaumont School