Best secondary schools in Hertfordshire

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Best secondary schools in Bishop’s Stortford

Best secondary schools in Harpenden

Best secondary schools in Radlett

Best secondary schools in Rickmansworth

Best secondary schools in St Albans

Best secondary schools in Welwyn Garden City

Special Educational Needs

Unlike neighbouring Buckinghamshire, most of Hertfordshire’s selective schools only select a portion of their intake. Also unlike Buckinghamshire, these schools tend to select some children on academic ability and others on musical ability. That said, on the border of Herts and London (and just into London), there are some ‘true’ grammars, notably Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, the The Henrietta Barnett School and St Michael's Catholic Grammar. Herts also boasts some excellent non-selective secondary schools including those such as JCoSS, where priority goes to certain faiths (in this case, Jewish). In all these types of secondary schools, the best ones (including those named above) are hugely popular, meaning that geography can be a factor with admissions. Straight line distance and priority postcodes may be key for a successful application. Looking towards London's schools from the Herts borders is not unreasonable but pore over your preferred school’s admissions policy and read our article about secondary school admissions.

Secondary schools in Bishop’s Stortford

There are five highly rated secondary schools in Bishop’s Stortford. Parents like boys-only Bishop’s Stortford High School for its emphasis on respect and working hard, as well as the extracurricular. And despite the reputation that it has for serving the more naturally academic, we found the less able are also encouraged to shine. The Herts and Essex High School and Science College is the girls-only option which manages to feel laid-back and fun, while at the same time focused and resolute in striving for the best. Both are semi-selective, with five per cent of (highly sought after) places allocated to pupils with a proven aptitude in music, and ditto for sport. On the non-selective co-ed front, Hockerill Anglo-European College is one of the most successful comprehensives in the country, offering the IB in sixth form, while Birchwood High School has a bigger catchment. St Marys Catholic School is a high performing faith school.

As for the wider county’s semi-selective schools, it all depends on how far you want your child to commute. The nearest is Leventhorpe School, where priority is given to eight feeder schools in surrounding villages, and their siblings, with 18 places for anyone with exceptional musical aptitude.

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Secondary schools in Harpenden

There are three main contenders – all non-selective academically - and yes, parents do get the rulers out when they’re choosing which house to buy or on appeals day. The most oversubscribed – and riding high as one of the top non-selective state schools in the country - is St George’s School Harpenden, which combines a Christian community with top-notch results. Coupled with its heritage feel, posh surroundings, herringbone blazers and lacrosse, you could be forgiven for mistaking it for a private school. But take note, priority is given to regular church-goers. Sir John Lawes School and Roundwood Park School are both known for placing equal emphasis on academics, pastoral care and extracurricular – it really depends which you live closer to.

Katherine Warington School is Harpenden’s newest secondary and already oversubscribed. Parents are wowed by its impressive facilities and aspirational approach, although Ofsted hasn’t rated it quite as highly as the other schools in town.

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Secondary schools near Radlett

Parmiter’s School is phenomenally oversubscribed with a long list of semi-selective criteria. In a sea of strong academic schools, it stands out for being dynamic and friendly, with an inclusive vibe and impressive extracurricular.

Watford Grammar School for Boys and Watford Grammar School for Girls are, despite their names, semi-selective. If you have a daughter with a desire to succeed, she’ll flourish, and not just academically. A favourite at sixth form too. The boys’ school is less academic, but still gets results well above the national average and, according to parents, also ticks sporting and musical boxes, as well as ‘turns out real gentlemen’.

Dame Alice Owen’s School soars ahead of the lot academically and this semi-selective school is also known for its music. ‘If you manage to get a place, congratulations, you have won the lottery,’ says our reviewer. Among other popular semi-selective schools is Queen’s School in Bushey, while among faith schools, St Michael’s High School is a big hitter.

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Secondary schools in Rickmansworth

‘Sighs of relief are audible across the valley for those securing their place on National Offers Day by parents who have paid a hefty premium on their house to live in catchment,’ says our reviewer of semi-selective St Clement Danes School, which produces excellent results year after year, as well as excelling in extracurricular. But you’ll need to be on the Chorleywood side of town to get one of the non-selective places.

Grammar school enthusiasts close to the Bucks border in Chorleywood may have a very small chance of Dr Challoner’s High School or Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, while Chesham Grammar School takes more youngsters from the neighbouring (and out of catchment) Herts local authority - but for all of them, it really depends on the year group. These schools are also popular at sixth form, though you’ll likely need a sweep of 9s at GCSE.

In Rickmansworth itself, Rickmansworth School is a popular semi-selective school whose overhaul in languages teaching and pastoral care have reaped benefits in recent years, while Saint Joan of Arc Catholic School is a good faith school.

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Secondary schools in St Albans

Parents move heaven and earth (not to mention house) to get into STAGS (St Albans Girls’ School). Results are outstanding, particularly for a non-selective intake, with everyone seeming to get swept along by the culture of learning.

Other well-regarded (all non-selective) schools include Beaumont School (particularly good sixth form) and Sandringham School (great on independent learning and relationships between staff and students). Loreto College is a Catholic secondary girls’ school where teachers know the children well and teach them with creativity.

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Secondary schools in Welwyn Garden City

There are three secondaries in the city, none of which locals feel set the world on fire, but Monk’s Walk School is considered the best of the bunch.

For girls only, there’s lots of choice slightly further afield including Bishops Hatfield Girls’ School, a highly regarded non-selective comp that lists Welwyn Garden City as a priority area, and Presdales School in Ware, known for its academics and have-a-go ethos. There’s also Loreto College, a Catholic secondary school and sixth form near St Albans.

A small contingent from Welwyn Garden City regularly heads off to semi-selective Dame Alice Owen’s School in Potters Bar. This purposeful school dazzles especially in academics and music, but it’s always hugely oversubscribed and you’ll only get in via entrance exams.

Twenty minutes up the road are Hitchin Girls’ School and Hitchin Boys’ School – both considered worth moving for their friendly, values-driven ethos, academic outcomes and exceptional co-curricular.

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State secondary schools for children with special educational needs in Hertfordshire