In the heart of Harpenden, a town renowned for its exceptional state schools, Roundwood Park has quietly built a reputation as one of the highest-achieving comprehensives in Hertfordshire. The November 2023 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding across every category, including sixth form provision, describing it as a school of exceptional quality. With GCSE results placing the school 406th in England and first in Harpenden (FindMySchool ranking), and a Progress 8 score of +0.79 indicating pupils make significantly above-average progress, this is a school that consistently delivers for students of all abilities.
Over 1,400 students attend, drawn from Harpenden, St Albans, and surrounding villages across a surprisingly wide catchment. The atmosphere is ambitious but not pressured; kindness sits central to the school's values. Named The Times Comprehensive School of the Year for South East England, Roundwood Park demonstrates that state schools can match and exceed independent school outcomes without charging a penny in fees.
Founded in 1956 as a two-form entry secondary modern with just 179 pupils and ten teachers under headteacher Arthur Foxwell, Roundwood Park has transformed over seven decades into a thriving comprehensive academy. The school began with three teaching blocks, still recognisable today as B Block, C Block, and the original hall and gymnasium. In 1961, the first fifth-years sat O-levels, achieving 51 passes. During those early years, successful students transferred to grammar schools in St Albans and Hatfield before the school developed its own sixth form.
The campus has evolved substantially. Modern additions include a dedicated Maths and Music block opened in 2008 by television presenter Johnny Ball, featuring large classrooms and dedicated practice rooms. The crowning facility is the state-of-the-art 3G artificial pitch, funded by a £500,000 Premier League and FA Facilities Fund grant in 2018 and developed in partnership with Harpenden Colts FC.
The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Mrs Katie Barter became headteacher in September 2025, having served as deputy head since 2016. She succeeded Mr Alan Henshall, who led the school for 15 years through continued excellence following predecessors including Arthur Foxwell, Haydon Luke, Andy Cunningham, and Nick Daymond. Under her leadership, the school emphasises that kindness is at the core of everything it does.
The seven houses, named after inspirational figures including Wilberforce, Mandela, Grey-Thompson, Cadbury, Frank, Owens, and Scott, compete throughout the year in academic, sporting, and cultural competitions. House points accumulate across all activities. House Music has grown so popular that it now fills the Alban Arena in St Albans, transforming from a school assembly event into a major production.
The Ofsted inspection described Roundwood Park as a school where pupils meet leaders' exceptionally high expectations for their work, personal development and behaviour. Staff report feeling valued and well supported. The curriculum is described as highly ambitious, broad and rich, preparing pupils exceptionally well for their futures.
Behaviour is excellent throughout the school. Students carry small cards tracking merits and distinctions, with three strikes for uniform infringements resulting in detention. This culture of praise and accountability pervades daily life. Recognition is structured through merits and distinctions, alongside prizes, badges and honours boards, valuing behaviour and extracurricular contribution as well as academic work.
The library, known locally as a hub for learning, includes a bookable glass pod meeting room and a small private classroom popular with sixth formers for group study. Between 60 and 80 pupils visit at lunchtimes, many squeezing into the reading area with its tiered seating. At least two book clubs run each year, and visiting authors are regular fixtures. The librarian maintains an engaging programme that encourages reading for pleasure across all year groups.
Academic results are strong and consistent. At GCSE in 2024, 51% of grades were 9 to 7, with 79% achieving grade 5 or above in both English and mathematics, well above the England average of 46%. The Attainment 8 score of 62.5 demonstrates the breadth of achievement across subjects, significantly exceeding the England average.
The school ranks 406th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% of schools in England and first among secondary schools in Harpenden. The Progress 8 score of +0.79 is particularly impressive, indicating pupils make substantially more progress than expected from their starting points. This value-added measure demonstrates that Roundwood Park gets the best out of every student, regardless of ability level.
Subject strengths are evident across the curriculum. Maths, French, and physics perform particularly well on results day. The vast majority of pupils take at least one modern foreign language at GCSE, with French twice as popular as German and Spanish somewhere in between. Business, economics, computer science, physical education, and food preparation and nutrition are popular options, reflecting the breadth of pathways available.
At A-level, 60% of grades were A* to B, with 33% at A*/A. These results place the sixth form 650th in England (FindMySchool ranking), within the top 25% of sixth forms in England, and third in Harpenden. The average points score of 38.14 exceeds both the local authority average of 36.38 and the England average of 34.45.
Maths tends to draw the biggest numbers, with biology and psychology close behind; sociology, English and geography are also well subscribed. The breadth of subject offerings means students can pursue traditional academic routes, vocational pathways, or a combination tailored to their aspirations.
The sixth form cohort of over 430 students includes approximately a quarter who join from other schools across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. This influx of external students creates a fresh dynamic and broadens the peer group. Via the Harpenden Consortium, some sixth‑form subjects are delivered with partner schools — St George’s and Sir John Lawes — widening the menu to include German, politics and media studies, alongside options such as art graphics and BTEC media.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
60.4%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
50.7%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum follows a carefully sequenced approach designed to build knowledge progressively from Year 7 through to Year 13. The ASPIRE framework underpins teaching and learning, promoting a commitment to lifelong learning, subject mastery, and curiosity.
Only maths is set — and it starts in Year 7 after the autumn half‑term break. English and mathematics are set across half year groups in Year 10, and across the full year group in Year 11, allowing teachers to target instruction more precisely as examinations approach.
French and German are taught from Year 7, with the option to switch to Spanish from Year 9 for those planning to take it at GCSE. Spanish operates as a fast-paced beginners course feeding directly into GCSE study. Some students study native languages including Chinese and Polish. Language learning is strongly encouraged, with the vast majority taking at least one language to GCSE level.
STEM provision is particularly strong. Nine science laboratories provide excellent facilities for practical work. The Year 9 science curriculum builds on Years 7 and 8, covering biology, chemistry, and physics topics taught to GCSE standard. Each term contains elements of all three sciences, with assessment tests indicating suitability for Combined Science or Separate Sciences at GCSE. The department enjoys high praise from students and parents alike.
A super-curriculum offers extension workshops across all subjects, with badges and prizes for participation motivating engagement. Recent enrichment topics have ranged from where human evolution might head next, to ideas of ‘home’ and safety in Gothic children’s literature, and on to debates about the ethics around the insanity defence. These enrichment opportunities allow academically ambitious students to explore beyond the examination syllabus while developing critical thinking skills valued by universities.
Each A-level subject receives five hours of teaching per week in one year and four in the other, with subject leaders determining the distribution according to course needs. Most students take three A-levels, though those with exceptional GCSE performance may opt for four, including Further Mathematics. Applied Level 3 BTECs are part of the sixth‑form offer: business (Extended Certificate or National Diploma), food science and nutrition, ICT, and health and social care.
All Year 12 students choose an enrichment option from the Extended Project Qualification, Certificate in Financial Studies through the London Institute of Banking and Finance, Massive Open Online Courses, or Level 3 Mathematical Studies (Core Maths). These qualifications provide UCAS points equivalent to half an A-level while developing skills valued by employers and universities.
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
In 2024, 75% of leavers progressed to university, a figure well above the England average of 66% and the local authority average of 70%. Over a third of university entrants secured places at Russell Group institutions, with Leeds, Nottingham, Loughborough, Reading, Southampton, plus others others the University of Hertfordshire proving particularly popular destinations. Leavers are described as choosing a notably wide spread of courses — from law, criminology and pharmacy to psychology and computer science, as well as accounting, finance and mechanical engineering.
Five students secured Oxbridge places in 2024, all at Cambridge, with three progressing to study medicine. Two students took up places at US universities, demonstrating the international ambitions the school supports. Two students began apprenticeships, reflecting the range of post-18 pathways available.
The school ranks 219th in England for Oxbridge placements (FindMySchool ranking). Twenty students applied to Oxbridge, with six receiving offers and five ultimately accepting places. The offer rate of 30% and acceptance rate of 83% for those receiving offers demonstrates strong preparation for competitive applications. Cambridge dominates applications, with 15 of the 20 candidates choosing the university and all five successful acceptances coming from Cambridge.
Careers guidance is comprehensive, integrated into the curriculum at all key stages from Year 7 through to Year 13. Support includes mock interviews run by parents and alumni, degree apprenticeship assemblies highlighting vocational routes into professional careers, and careers insight evenings connecting students with industry professionals. What Next? noticeboards appear in nearly every department, keeping students informed about pathways in each subject area.
The school maintains an active alumni network. Former students return to offer talks, mock interviews, and career advice, creating tangible connections between current students and the world of work. This practical support helps students make informed decisions about their futures.
Total Offers
6
Offer Success Rate: 30%
Cambridge
6
Offers
Oxford
0
Offers
Roundwood Park admits 189 students to Year 7 as its Published Admission Number, though the school routinely accepts additional pupils to help address the local shortfall of secondary places. All applications are coordinated through Hertfordshire County Council; no supplementary information form is required. Hertfordshire residents apply online through the county council website, while those living elsewhere submit forms from their respective local authority.
With 655 applications for 182 offers in Year 7, the3.6 applications per place applications per place makes this a significantly oversubscribed school. Competition for places is fierce, making proximity the key factor for most families.
Priority goes first to looked-after children and those previously looked after, followed by children with medical or social needs requiring attendance at this specific school. Siblings of current pupils receive the next priority, followed by children of staff. Remaining places are allocated by straight-line distance from the school gate to the home address.
The catchment extends surprisingly widely. The intake is mainly from Harpenden and St Albans, but it also draws from surrounding villages and areas such as Wheathampstead, Redbourn, Markyate, Sandridge, Shenley, Colney Heath, Flamstead, Kimpton, Ayot St Lawrence, London Colney, Ridge, St Stephen, St Michael, St Pauls Walden and Kings Walden. Wood End School and Redbourn Primary School are the largest feeders, accounting for 27% and 19% of intake respectively. Roundwood Primary School contributes 13%, with Markyate Village School and Nursery providing 9%.
External applicants make up approximately a quarter of Year 12, joining from state schools across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Entry requirements are based on predicted average point score at GCSE. Students with grades averaging 5 or above are typically suited to three or four A-levels. Those averaging 4.5 to 4.9 may be advised toward a mixed programme of BTECs and A-levels, while those between 4.0 and 4.5 are guided toward BTEC-focused pathways. Subject-specific requirements also apply, with students expected to have achieved appropriate grades in subjects they wish to continue.
The sixth form offers flexibility. Students who wish to change subjects after receiving GCSE results can do so, with the school being accommodating about amendments where timetabling allows. Bridging work tasks, designed by subject leaders to bridge the gap between GCSE and A-level, should be completed over the summer and take between three and five hours per subject.
Open evening for Year 7 entry takes place in late September, with the headteacher delivering presentations at 5:45pm, 6:30pm, and 7:15pm. Guided tours run on weekday mornings in October, offering a chance to see the school during a normal working day. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates. Families comparing local performance can use the Local Hub page to view results side-by-side using the Comparison Tool.
Applications
655
Total received
Places Offered
182
Subscription Rate
3.6x
Apps per place
Each student has a form tutor who provides day-to-day support and monitoring. Form tutors are coordinated by heads of year who handle more serious pastoral matters and maintain oversight of their cohort's progress. Pastoral support officers and assistants provide additional layers of care, alongside a school counsellor who visits weekly and a school nurse.
Students report that they can talk to anyone and describe the friendliness of the school as its best quality. The culture of openness means problems are identified early and support is put in place before difficulties escalate. Wellbeing work is described as proactive, covering practical issues such as sleep, exam pressure and anxiety.
The review mentions a partnership with Tooled Up Education, providing staff and parents with evidence‑based resources on mental health, emotional regulation and digital life. This externally validated programme ensures that pastoral support is grounded in current research rather than ad hoc responses.
Leadership roles are plentiful, especially in sixth form. Students can take on practical leadership roles — helping organise events, speaking in assemblies, chairing meetings, linking with charities and other external organisations, and mentoring younger pupils. Academic tutoring allows sixth formers to support younger students with their studies, developing leadership skills while reinforcing their own learning. The school celebrates extracurricular excellence as much as academic achievement and good behaviour.
Ethnic diversity is celebrated throughout the school, with events marking different cultures. A Pride drop-in group provides support for LGBTQ+ students.
Clubs run across lunchtimes and after‑school slots — the list is said to top 70 — and it’s framed as one of the more extensive co‑curricular programmes among nearby state schools. Co‑curricular options are wide‑ranging and not just sport‑heavy. Alongside chess and glee choir there’s creative writing, coding and debating, with more niche options such as Warhammer and African drumming; language clubs, table tennis and technology workshops add to the mix. Sport is still well covered too, with athletics and basketball as well as tennis and trampolining. Duke of Edinburgh is popular at all levels, with many students progressing to Gold. Young Enterprise develops business skills through practical company creation.
World Challenge expeditions have recently visited Eswatini, with Costa Rica next on the agenda. These trips combine adventure, community service, and cultural immersion over several weeks.
Music thrives at Roundwood Park. House Music has grown so large it now fills the Alban Arena in St Albans, transforming from an internal competition into a major community event. Students describe it as life-changing, building confidence through performance.
Music groups include the school band and orchestra, plus ensembles such as a string group and guitar group, a stage band, and choirs (chapel choir and flute choir). Good take-up exists for learning instruments or singing, with performance opportunities ranging from the summer concert and smaller intimate recitals to external events at Harpenden Carnival, St Johns Church, plus Harpenden Public Halls.
Around 20 students take GCSE music, with approximately three continuing to A-level. The Maths and Music block, opened in 2008, provides two large classrooms and dedicated practice rooms in a modern teaching environment.
Drama overlaps significantly with English, bringing texts to life through performance. A full whole‑school musical comes round every two years; in the terms between, there are smaller showcases and performances. Visiting theatre company workshops enhance the curriculum.
The school takes part in National Theatre Connections each year, with Year 9 pupils performing at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate Theatre; there are also individual workshops for students preparing for National Youth Theatre auditions. Approximately double the number taking music pursue GCSE drama, with around six continuing to A-level.
Three spacious art studios remain open for lunchtime clubs, encouraging creative exploration beyond timetabled lessons. Student work from all year groups is displayed throughout the school, celebrating effort and progress rather than reserving wall space for only the highest achievers.
Professional artists come in to deliver workshops, exposing students to working practices and career possibilities. Sixth formers can attend life drawing courses. Trips vary by year group: GCSE cohorts may visit Paris, while A-level students can travel further (for example New York, Barcelona or Paris), and younger years tend to do more local museum and gallery visits.
Fine art attracts nearly 25 GCSE entries, with textiles available as a standalone GCSE drawing around 10 students. A-level options include photography and product design, each attracting between three and ten students.
The DT department is described as making frequent use of a laser cutter, with student work mentioned ranging from intricately designed model cars to practical projects such as CD racks (and more besides). In the younger years, food technology appears as a rotation within DT; at GCSE it continues as a separate option, taught in well-resourced specialist spaces.
A floodlit 3G pitch is positioned as the flagship sports facility, funded via a £500,000 grant, and used not only by the school but also by Harpenden Colts FC and other community users. The Sports Centre was opened in September 2011 by former England cricket captain Mike Atherton, reflecting the school's sporting ambitions.
The sports hall includes a gallery overlooking the main space, a modern dance studio, and a fully equipped fitness studio with gym equipment. Sport spans football, rugby and netball, alongside cricket and rounders, plus basketball, tennis, athletics and gymnastics. Younger students particularly enjoy orienteering, which develops teamwork skills and learning.
An early Year 7 adventure‑activity trip is used to help the new cohort bond quickly. Regular curriculum trips include Hamburg for modern languages, Iceland for geography, Disneyland Paris for computer science, New York for business, economics, and computer science, CERN in Geneva for physics, and Jay Peak in the USA for skiing. A football tour visits Holland.
The school day runs from 8:20am to 3:20pm, comprising 25 teaching periods of one hour each plus registration time. Year 12 students are expected to be present throughout the day, with specific exceptions for off-site learning activities. Year 13 students meeting target grades may request pre-arranged study leave. Students arriving late to registration three times in one half-term receive a 1.5-hour Friday detention.
The site has limited parking; families should consider public transport or walking routes. The school is well connected to Harpenden town centre.
The uniform is black with red accents. Students must wear it correctly; three infractions result in detention. Catering receives mixed reviews from parents, though students describe the food as excellent, noting that the chef previously worked at an independent school.
Oversubscribed admissions. With 3.6 applications for every place, securing entry requires living within the catchment area or meeting priority criteria. Families should verify current distances before relying on a place here.
Unisex toilet arrangements. Most toilets are unisex cubicles opening directly onto corridors. While this reduces opportunities for vaping and other issues, some students find the lack of privacy uncomfortable. A few private facilities exist but are not always accessible.
High expectations from Year 7. The school expects students to work hard from the start. Year 7 homework can come as a shock, though the intensity relaxes somewhat as students progress. This is not a grammar school culture, but academic commitment is expected and monitored closely.
Wide catchment and travel times. Some pupils travel significant distances from villages across the catchment. Families should consider the daily commute and its impact on access to extracurricular activities and friendship groups.
Roundwood Park delivers the rare combination of exceptional academic results, outstanding pastoral care, and genuine breadth of opportunity without charging a penny in fees. The Outstanding Ofsted rating across all categories reflects a school firing on all cylinders. Progress 8 scores demonstrate that pupils of all abilities make well-above-average progress from their starting points.
The atmosphere is ambitious but kind, competitive but inclusive. Five Oxbridge places and a third of leavers heading to Russell Group universities sit alongside support for students pursuing apprenticeships and vocational routes.
Best suited to families within the wide catchment who want a comprehensive that genuinely stretches every student, whether they are aiming for Oxbridge or finding their feet. The main challenge is securing a place; once admitted, the educational experience is first-class. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.
Roundwood Park is an Outstanding school in every Ofsted category following the November 2023 inspection, described as a school of exceptional quality. GCSE results place it in the top 10% of schools in England, ranking 406th overall and first in Harpenden. The Progress 8 score of +0.79 indicates pupils make substantially more progress than expected. Five students secured Oxbridge places in 2024, with over a third of university entrants progressing to Russell Group institutions.
Applications for Year 7 are made through Hertfordshire County Council, not directly to the school. The deadline is 31 October for September entry. No supplementary information form is required. Hertfordshire residents apply online through the county council website. For in-year admissions and appeals, contact County Admissions on 0300 123 4043.
There is no formal catchment boundary. Places are allocated by distance after priority categories including looked-after children, medical needs, siblings, and children of staff. The intake is mainly Harpenden and St Albans, but the school also draws from nearby villages such as Flamstead, Markyate, Kimpton, Redbourn and Wheathampstead. With 3.6 applications per place, the school is significantly oversubscribed.
The school offers 23 A-level subjects directly, including mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, English literature, history, geography, psychology, sociology, economics, business, French, Spanish, art, drama, music, computer science, further mathematics, photography, product design, and textiles. Additional subjects including German, media studies, and politics are available through the Harpenden Consortium with partner schools St George's and Sir John Lawes.
Yes. The sixth form has over 430 students, approximately a quarter joining from other schools. Entry requirements are based on GCSE average point scores, with subject-specific criteria also applying. Most students take three A-levels, but there are also BTEC routes — for example in business, ICT, health and social care, and food science — for those who prefer an applied Level 3 option. All Year 12 students complete an enrichment qualification such as the EPQ or Certificate in Financial Studies.
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