Richard Hale School, Hertford

In its own words: "The school motto is, “Learning with Virtue.” Our aim is for every student to: These aims are built on the long standing traditions of the school, first established by Richard Hale himself in 1617 and have become part of the core purpose of this school in the last 400 years. To achieve this, we have high expectations for every student."

From the headteacher's welcome: "My name is Ian Hawkins and it is my privilege to be Headteacher at this school. These aims are built on the long-standing traditions of the school, first established by Richard Hale himself in 1617 and have become part of the core purpose of this school in the last 400 years."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama, debating and Duke of Edinburgh.

Coming up: an open evening on Wednesday 11 November 2026 and an open evening on Monday 23 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Richard Hale School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 54, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 50.6 in Hertfordshire and 47 across England.

61% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 53% in Hertfordshire and 47% in England.

That is down from 56.3 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.31: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 42.3, against 55 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 12.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Geography, Chemistry and Physics.

For September 2026 entry, 189 families put Richard Hale School as their first choice and 520 named it as one of their preferences, for 168 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 36 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Richard Hale School are Simon Balle All-Through School (0.4 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 52.9); The Sele School (1.2 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 35.1); The Chauncy School (2.1 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 49.4); and Presdales School (2.1 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 58.7).

Richard Hale School's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Of the 175 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 95% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 25% to a further education college and 2% into work.

Of the 170 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 61% went on to university or other higher education, 8% to apprenticeships and 23% into work. 24% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (81%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 134 pupils (11.1%) received SEN support and 27 (2.2%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Hertford East Rail Station, about 800 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Richard Hale School (outside), 130 metres away.

In 2024/25, Richard Hale School issued 75 suspensions, 6.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Richard Hale School are Abel Smith School (0.3 miles), Morgans Primary School & Nursery (0.3 miles), Mill Mead Primary Academy (0.5 miles) and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (Hertford) (1 mile). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.