Simon Balle All-Through School, Hertford

In its own words: "This is our vision; this is our purpose. To transform lives, and ensure that our young people are provided with a first class education which develops their character and trains them with the skills and knowledge to become model active citizens who understand how they can contribute to society positively and make the world a better place."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is a privilege to welcome you to Simon Balle All-through School. We are proud of our all-through school: one school for students from the age of four all the way to eighteen. We are known for our high expectations, first class education and our innovative approach."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama and STEM.

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 18 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Simon Balle All-Through School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 52.9, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 50.6 in Hertfordshire and 47 across England.

57% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 53% in Hertfordshire and 47% in England.

That is down from 55.4 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.45: 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 38, against 55.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 17.1 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Business Studies and History.

For September 2026 entry, 146 families put Simon Balle All-Through School as their first choice and 669 named it as one of their preferences, for 124 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 23 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Simon Balle All-Through School are Richard Hale School (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 54); The Sele School (1.5 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 35.1); Presdales School (1.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 58.7); and The Chauncy School (1.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 49.4).

Simon Balle All-Through School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Simon Balle All-Through School is one of 2 schools run by The Laurel Education Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 176 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 94% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 28% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 128 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 55% went on to university or other higher education, 9% to apprenticeships and 21% into work. 22% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

9.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 7.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (79%) and Mixed (8%).

Simon Balle All-Through School had 120 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Hertford East Rail Station, about 700 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Park Road (adjacent), 330 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Simon Balle All-Through School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, Simon Balle All-Through School issued 21 suspensions, 1.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Simon Balle All-Through School are Abel Smith School (0.2 miles), Morgans Primary School & Nursery (0.6 miles), Wheatcroft Primary School (0.7 miles) and Mill Mead Primary Academy (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.