Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Popular emoji_events #29 in Hertfordshire public Top 7% UK

Simon Balle All-Through School

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

personHead not listed

corporate_fareSIMON BALLE ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onHertford, SG13 8AJ

language Visit Website phone 1992410400

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2018

groups

Students

1,597

trending_up

Attainment 8

55.4

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GCSE Rank

#28 in Hertfordshire

#446 of 3,216 nationally

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Simon Balle All-Through School is a Academy converter secondary school in Hertford, serving ages 4-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Demand is above capacity (1.4×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Simon Balle All-Through School is an academy converter in Hertford, Hertfordshire, admitting pupils aged 4-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of SIMON BALLE ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 1,561 pupils on roll, of whom 11% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 55.4, placing the school #28 in Hertfordshire and #446 of 3,216 nationally. 63.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 28.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2025, 84% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 33% achieving the higher standard. The school ranks #1 of 78 primaries in Hertfordshire and #80 of 3,216 nationally.

The sixth form offers 20 A-level subjects. 61.3% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 35.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.28 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

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

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.4× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.5 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

55.4

Grade 5+ E&M

63.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)28.4%

Entering EBacc48.60%

EBacc APS4.99

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.45

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45.50%

EBacc APS4.73

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.03

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc33%

EBacc APS4.28

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc28%

EBacc APS4.72

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc53%

EBacc APS5.13

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.21

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc40%

EBacc APS4.69

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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

96%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

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

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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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

+0.28

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*11.7%

Achieving A*–A35.8%

Achieving A*–B61.3%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate96.4%

A-level subjects offered20

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.43

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils do significantly better than expected at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

110

Retention rate92.70%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

101

Retention rate99.00%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate98.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

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Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

84%

LA 61%

Reading91% LA 76%

Writing88% 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

75%

LA 61%England 61%

Reading84% LA 76% · Eng 74%

Writing92% LA 70% · Eng 72%

Maths83% LA 73% · Eng 73%

Read SS

107

Maths SS

106

GPS SS

108

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

85%

LA 59%England 60%

Reading88% LA 74% · Eng 73%

Writing92% LA 69% · Eng 71%

Maths90% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Read SS

109

Maths SS

108

GPS SS

108

Progress (0 = national avg)

1.8

Read

LA 0.3

0.2 to 3.4

4.2

Write

LA -0.4

2.7 to 5.8

2.3

Maths

LA -0.1

0.8 to 3.8

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 65%England 65%

Reading-% LA 75% · Eng 73%

Writing-% LA 78% · Eng 78%

Maths-% LA 78% · Eng 79%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

LA -0.1

Write

LA -0.5

Maths

LA -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

24 April 2024

Inspection Report

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09 May 2018

Inspection Report

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05 November 2013

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2018-05-09

S5 Inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2013-09-17

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

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

0.6%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.5%(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 1,561 pupils. During this period, there were 9 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.6%, 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)	1,561	9	0.6%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,567	7	0.4%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,557	8	0.5%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,561	7	0.4%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,567	14	0.9%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,595	8	0.5%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,597	4	0.3%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,596	16	1.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,577	10	0.6%	4.7%	2
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,587	12	0.8%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,589	15	0.9%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,546	8	0.5%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,545	4	0.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,545	16	1.0%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,489	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,489	10	0.7%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,490	8	0.5%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,412	2	0.1%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,413	10	0.7%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,416	5	0.4%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,330	4	0.3%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,337	2	0.1%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,341	4	0.3%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,248	2	0.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,257	2	0.2%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,265	9	0.7%	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.

Specific Learning Difficulty 56 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 53 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 40 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 21 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 7 pupils

Hearing Impairment 5 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 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.

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.

20.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree61%

agree32%

disagree5%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree53%

agree37%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree43%

agree22%

disagree7%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

not applicable25%

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

yes29%

no71%

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

strongly agree35%

agree33%

disagree17%

strongly disagree13%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree70%

agree24%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree63%

agree29%

disagree4%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree58%

agree34%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

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

strongly agree64%

agree31%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree71%

agree23%

disagree2%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree61%

agree28%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes94%

no6%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

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