Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #27 in Hertfordshire public Top 7% UK

Samuel Ryder Academy

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

personMr Matthew Gauthier

corporate_fareSCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST

location_onSt Albans, AL1 5AR

language Visit Website phone 1727859382

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2022

groups

Students

1,508

trending_up

Attainment 8

56.5

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#25 in Hertfordshire

#382 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Samuel Ryder Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in St Albans, serving ages 4-19. Rated Good by Ofsted.

article

School Summary

Samuel Ryder Academy is an academy sponsor led in St Albans, Hertfordshire, admitting pupils aged 4-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 1,577 pupils on roll, of whom 19% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 56.5, placing the school #25 in Hertfordshire and #382 of 3,216 nationally. 69.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 31.6% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2025, 80% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 20% achieving the higher standard. The school ranks #11 of 78 primaries in Hertfordshire and #613 of 3,216 nationally.

The sixth form offers 27 A-level subjects. 50.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 22.6% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.0 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2022. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 3.9 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

56.5

Grade 5+ E&M

69.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)31.6%

Entering EBacc40.00%

EBacc APS4.96

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.35

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc29.20%

EBacc APS4.32

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.36

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc30%

EBacc APS4.44

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.29

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc33%

EBacc APS4.53

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc36%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.33

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc39%

EBacc APS4.2

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS3.69

explore

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)92%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

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

Apprenticeships0%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

workspace_premium

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

0.0

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*0.5%

Achieving A*–A22.6%

Achieving A*–B50.8%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate98.4%

A-level subjects offered27

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.25

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate95.50%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate90.90%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

school

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

80%

LA 61%

Reading93% LA 76%

Writing82% LA 70%

Maths95% LA 73%

Read SS

110

Maths SS

110

GPS SS

110

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

73%

LA 61%England 61%

Reading87% LA 76% · Eng 74%

Writing82% LA 70% · Eng 72%

Maths85% LA 73% · Eng 73%

Read SS

108

Maths SS

107

GPS SS

109

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

73%

LA 59%England 60%

Reading85% LA 74% · Eng 73%

Writing82% LA 69% · Eng 71%

Maths85% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Read SS

107

Maths SS

107

GPS SS

108

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.9

Read

LA 0.3

0.3 to 3.5

2.0

Write

LA -0.4

0.5 to 3.6

1.9

Maths

LA -0.1

0.4 to 3.4

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

55%

LA 65%England 65%

Reading68% LA 75% · Eng 73%

Writing80% LA 78% · Eng 78%

Maths70% LA 78% · Eng 79%

Read SS

103

Maths SS

103

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

-1.7

Read

LA -0.1

-3.3 to -0.1

-0.6

Write

LA -0.5

-2.1 to 0.8

-1.9

Maths

LA -0.5

-3.3 to -0.5

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 66%

Reading-% LA 78%

Writing-% LA 78%

Maths-% LA 76%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

LA 0.1

Write

LA -0.5

Maths

LA -0.4

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

29 June 2022

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

17 May 2016

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

08 October 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

30 April 2014

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

27 February 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2022-06-29

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2016-05-17

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2014-04-30

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

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

4.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.9%(30 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 1,577 pupils. During this period, there were 70 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.4%, 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)	1,577	70	4.4%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,582	54	3.4%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,547	40	2.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,556	28	1.8%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,557	66	4.2%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,510	64	4.2%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,508	47	3.1%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,521	48	3.2%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,467	50	3.4%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,460	34	2.3%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,463	32	2.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,380	17	1.2%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,383	2	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,388	26	1.9%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,302	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,302	13	1.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,306	21	1.6%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,200	28	2.3%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,201	13	1.1%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,223	21	1.7%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,084	33	3.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,081	21	1.9%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,085	7	0.6%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	882	35	4.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	882	28	3.2%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	888	13	1.5%	3.1%	0

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

accessibility_new

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 63 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 52 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 26 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 26 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 16 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 15 pupils

Hearing Impairment 7 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 2 pupils