Watford Grammar School for Boys, Watford
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
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
This school is exceptional in supporting all pupils to reach their full potential. Teachers are highly skilled at adapting their teaching so every child, including those with special needs or who are disadvantaged, achieves the highest grades. Beyond academics, the school develops well-rounded young men who are confident leaders and role models, with outstanding support for their mental health and personal growth.
Key Strengths
- Pupils achieve exceptional grades at GCSE and A level, with disadvantaged pupils outperforming national averages
- Highly inclusive environment where all pupils thrive regardless of barriers to learning
- Research-informed curriculum that combines academic ambition with character development
- Outstanding pastoral care and mental health support, including work shared nationally
- Extensive leadership opportunities and sixth-form provision that goes above and beyond typical school offerings
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met with an open and positive culture of safeguarding where all legal requirements are fulfilled and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
International mathematics and robotics competitions, sports (high participation across many sports), music ensembles (senior music tour to Belgium), outdoor education activities, pupil-run clubs and societies, community service projects (charity fundraising, refugee support), mentoring, school magazine publication, civic projects
Watford Grammar School for Boys is an exceptionally high-performing grammar school where pupils consistently achieve the highest grades at GCSE and A level, with disadvantaged pupils outperforming their national peers. The school excels across all areas including curriculum, inclusion, leadership, and personal development.
At a Glance
6.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
18.4
Avg class size
81
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
106%
Over capacity
1,590 pupils
1,496 capacity
94 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Watford
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Watford
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(104)
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
7.05988%
Overall absence
21.45998%
Persistent absence
1,137
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Watford Grammar School for Boys
Chater Infant School
Chater Junior School
Lanchester Primary School
Ascot Road Primary School
St Anthony's Catholic Primary School
Laurance Haines School
Willow Tree Primary School
Watford St John's Church of England Primary School
Cassiobury Junior School
Watford Field School (Infant & Nursery)
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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