Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #32 in Hertfordshire public Top 10% UK

Verulam School

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

personMiss Julie Richardson

corporate_fareALBAN ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onSt Albans, AL1 4PR

language Visit Website phone 1727766100

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

1,066

trending_up

Attainment 8

52.5

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#32 in Hertfordshire

#667 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Verulam School is a Academy converter secondary school in St Albans, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Verulam School is an academy converter in St Albans, Hertfordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of ALBAN ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 984 pupils on roll, of whom 15% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 52.5, placing the school #32 in Hertfordshire and #667 of 3,216 nationally. 55.30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 27.9% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 22 A-level subjects. 46.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 20.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.1 — 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 0.3× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.8:1. There are 3 teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 2.9 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

52.5

Grade 5+ E&M

55.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)27.9%

Entering EBacc40.10%

EBacc APS4.71

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.4

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc46.40%

EBacc APS4.64

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.36

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

55.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc84%

EBacc APS5.06

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc71%

EBacc APS4.96

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc82%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.22

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc70%

EBacc APS5

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc78%

EBacc APS4.95

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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

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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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

+0.1

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*6.5%

Achieving A*–A20.1%

Achieving A*–B46.2%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate98.9%

A-level subjects offered22

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.01

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate96.70%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

106

Retention rate94.30%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate97.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

21 May 2024

Inspection Report

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08 November 2022

Inspection Report

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09 October 2018

Inspection Report

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03 July 2018

Inspection Report

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11 October 2017

Inspection Report

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19 March 2014

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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19 September 2011

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2018-10-09

Schools with Serious Weaknesses Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2018-07-03

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2017-10-11

None Legacy

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Inadequate

2014-03-19

None Legacy

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

Good

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

2.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.7%(17 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 984 pupils. During this period, there were 27 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.7%, 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)	984	27	2.7%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	988	31	3.1%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,017	16	1.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,023	42	4.1%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,008	41	4.1%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,070	39	3.6%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,066	49	4.6%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,055	37	3.5%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,080	36	3.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,081	44	4.1%	4.9%	3
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,080	27	2.5%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,074	25	2.3%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,064	5	0.5%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,048	32	3.1%	3.9%	2
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,062	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,062	18	1.7%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,071	48	4.5%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,094	28	2.6%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,097	36	3.3%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,094	36	3.3%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,126	17	1.5%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,134	19	1.7%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,144	29	2.5%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,145	2	0.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,147	21	1.8%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,154	16	1.4%	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.

Specific Learning Difficulty 53 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 37 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 36 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 23 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 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.

93.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

94.0%Positive

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

16.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree40%

agree44%

disagree8%

strongly disagree2%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree31%

agree46%

disagree16%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree36%

agree24%

disagree13%

strongly disagree5%

don't know1%

not applicable21%

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

yes23%

no77%

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

strongly agree49%

agree12%

disagree22%

strongly disagree12%

dont know4%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree45%

agree40%

disagree10%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree47%

agree38%

disagree10%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree40%

agree45%

disagree10%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree49%

agree48%

disagree2%

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

strongly agree45%

agree46%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree46%

agree37%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes87%

no13%

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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

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.

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

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Dame Alice Owen's School

Watford Grammar School for Boys

Watford Grammar School for Girls

Parmiter's School

St Clement Danes School

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