Ridgeway Academy, Welwyn Garden City
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Ridgeway Academy creates a happy, inclusive environment where pupils feel valued and supported. Teachers are skilled at adapting lessons to help all pupils learn well, with particularly strong support for those with additional needs. The school offers plenty of activities beyond lessons - from Duke of Edinburgh expeditions to sports and drama clubs - that help build pupils' confidence and prepare them for the future.
Key Strengths
- Teachers are well-trained and deliver lessons effectively with clear explanations and good use of activities to help pupils learn
- Strong support for pupils with SEND helps them overcome barriers to learning and achieve well from their starting points
- Positive relationships between staff and pupils create calm classroom environments where learning thrives
- Priority given to reading with effective support helping pupils become confident readers
- Broad range of enrichment activities boost pupils' self-esteem and leadership skills
Areas for Improvement
- A few subject curriculums lack clear structure, meaning pupils don't learn as well in these areas
- Teachers sometimes don't check pupils' understanding precisely enough, so knowledge gaps aren't spotted quickly
- Too many pupils, including sixth-form students, have poor attendance and miss valuable learning time
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with clear processes in place to identify and support vulnerable pupils.
Extracurricular Activities
Duke of Edinburgh award scheme expeditions, reading buddy support, sports clubs, drama clubs, musical activities, work experience placements
Ridgeway Academy is an inclusive secondary school where pupils enjoy learning and feel supported. The school has made significant improvements since the last inspection, with good quality education, behaviour, and personal development across all areas including the sixth form.
At a Glance
33.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
252 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
23.6
Avg class size
34
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
72%
Available places
875 pupils
1,220 capacity
345 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Welwyn Garden City
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Welwyn Garden City
Admissions Demand - Hertfordshire
Places available
15,354
Applications
13,699
Got 1st preference
75.8%
Got preferred school
94.7%
Secondary admissions across Hertfordshire (2025/26)
Inspection History(3)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
11.54093%
Overall absence
30.0578%
Persistent absence
865
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Ridgeway Academy
Panshanger Primary School
Watchlytes Primary School
Springmead Primary School
Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School
The Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Waterside Academy
Holwell Primary School
Peartree Primary School
Our Lady Catholic Primary School
St John's CofE Primary School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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