Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #56 in Hertfordshire public Top 28% UK

Robert Barclay Academy

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

personMr Ced de la Croix

corporate_fareSCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST

location_onHoddesdon, EN11 8JY

language Visit Website phone 1992410800

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

707

trending_up

Attainment 8

44.2

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#55 in Hertfordshire

#1,888 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Robert Barclay Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Hoddesdon, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.2×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Robert Barclay Academy is an academy sponsor led in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 792 pupils on roll, of whom 25% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 44.2, placing the school #55 in Hertfordshire and #1,888 of 3,216 nationally. 39.30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 16.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 12 A-level subjects. 29.4% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 3.5% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.41 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.2× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.6:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.5 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

44.2

Grade 5+ E&M

39.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)16.0%

Entering EBacc28.00%

EBacc APS3.68

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.11

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12.50%

EBacc APS3.47

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.10

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19%

EBacc APS3.75

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc20%

EBacc APS3.69

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc29%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.25

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS3.35

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.32

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc20%

EBacc APS3.32

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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)94%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment12%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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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

-0.41

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*–A3.5%

Achieving A*–B29.4%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate90.5%

A-level subjects offered12

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.27

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate89.30%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate90.50%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate86.1%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

07 March 2023

Inspection Report

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18 June 2019

Inspection Report

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12 January 2017

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-03-07

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2019-06-18

Academy First Section 5 Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2017-01-12

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2014-10-01

None Legacy

Inadequate

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

3.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.3%(18 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 792 pupils. During this period, there were 27 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.4%, 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)	792	27	3.4%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	797	29	3.6%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	757	30	4.0%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	758	26	3.4%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	775	31	4.0%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	701	29	4.1%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	707	29	4.1%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	709	19	2.7%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	663	22	3.3%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	662	19	2.9%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	680	16	2.4%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	630	12	1.9%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	633	7	1.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	628	13	2.1%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	610	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	610	20	3.3%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	621	19	3.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	575	20	3.5%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	589	10	1.7%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	596	15	2.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	616	16	2.6%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	622	28	4.5%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	644	32	5.0%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	632	39	6.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	640	44	6.9%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	640	28	4.4%	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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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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 58 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 27 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 20 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 18 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 11 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 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.

94.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

95.0%Positive

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

31.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree59%

agree35%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree42%

agree42%

disagree11%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree49%

agree21%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

not applicable21%

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

yes26%

no74%

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

strongly agree42%

agree31%

disagree13%

strongly disagree9%

dont know4%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree61%

agree32%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree59%

agree31%

disagree7%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree62%

agree31%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

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

strongly agree59%

agree36%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

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

strongly agree69%

agree30%

disagree1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree48%

agree42%

disagree7%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes96%

no4%

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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.

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