Beaumont School Review 2026: Above England Average GCSE and A-Level Performance

Beaumont School opened in 1938 as the eastern side of St Albans expanded, and its 1,650 students have grown into a thriving non-selective secondary with a genuine breadth of opportunity. The school sits firmly in the top 25% of schools in England at both GCSE and A-level (FindMySchool ranking), with GCSE attainment scores of 59 compared to the England average of 46. A-level results place 71% of students in the A*-B bracket, above the England average. Beyond the academic, the school's reputation in music, drama and sport remains a defining feature. Sixth form access to the BeauSandVer Education Trust consortium — shared with Sandringham and Verulam schools — offers breadth that few comprehensives can match. This is a state school with no tuition fees.

Walk across the campus and you notice purpose without pressure. The original 1938 buildings sit alongside new facilities completed in 2020; the science block alone contains twelve laboratories and expanded dining. A modern sports hall, AstroTurf pitch and fitness suite sit comfortably within the wider 60-acre site. The atmosphere is busy but calm. Students move between lessons with direction. In classrooms, teaching is structured and expectations are high. Teachers have expertise in their subjects, and the curriculum breadth reflects the school's specialisms in languages, mathematics and computing.

Mr Martin Atkinson became headteacher in 2017, arriving from a London school headship. He leads a staff of over 100 teachers. The house system — introduced in 2009 — creates vertical communities within the larger cohort. Houses bear the names of remarkable people: Luther King, Elgar, Austen, Redgrave, Newton, Seacole, Butler (the feminist and social reformer Josephine Butler, added in 2018) and Turing (the mathematician Alan Turing, added in 2022). This naming matters; it signals what the school values. Inter-house competitions run throughout the year, with sports, science challenges and drama performances.

Behaviour is mature and purposeful. The school operates clear expectations, and pupils feel empowered to hold each other accountable. The pastoral care system is strong, with safeguarding as a priority. The inspection report from May 2025 noted that pupils have exemplary attitudes to their learning and feel safe.

GCSE Performance

Attainment at GCSE is consistently strong. The school's Attainment 8 score of 59 sits well above the England average of 46. In 2024, 38% of grades achieved the top two bands (9-8), whilst 71% achieved grades 9-7 or above. These figures place Beaumont in the top 25% of secondary schools in England (FindMySchool ranking 685 nationally). The school also ranks 6th among 87 secondaries in St Albans locally, a strong position in a competitive area.

Progress 8 scores of +0.89 indicate that students make above-average progress from their key stage 2 starting points. This matters because it reflects what the school has added to each pupil, not simply their prior ability.

English Baccalaureate entry is strong at 47%, and the EBacc APS score of 5.66 exceeds the England average of 4.08.

A-Level Performance

A-level results reinforce the school's academic standing. In 2024, 11% of grades achieved A*, a further 29% reached A, and 31% were at B. This translates to 71% of all entries at A*-B, a figure that places the sixth form in the top 25% of schools nationally (FindMySchool ranking 407). The England average for A*-B is 47%, so Beaumont significantly exceeds expectation.

Twenty-six A-level subjects are offered, including Classical Greek, Russian and History of Art, alongside sciences, languages and traditional humanities. The Sixth Form Captains play a pivotal role in mentoring younger students, creating visible leadership pathways.

University Destinations

In 2024, 66% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with a further 16% entering employment and 3% pursuing further education. Seven students from Beaumont secured Oxbridge places in 2024, reflecting academic rigour but also the selective nature of Oxbridge entry. The school's elite Oxbridge conversion rate of 88% (7 offers from 8 acceptances) indicates that those who are offered places tend to accept.

The curriculum follows the national framework but with real depth. The school's designation as a specialist Languages College means linguistics are embedded throughout. Year 7 pupils begin modern language study early, with options in Spanish, French and German available. Mathematics and computing receive particular emphasis, with specialist staff and dedicated facilities completed in recent years.

Teaching is characterised by expert subject knowledge, structured lesson sequencing and high expectations. Pupils report that lessons are challenging but not intimidating. The assessment framework tracks progress carefully, and intervention happens early when pupils fall behind. Literacy is a whole-school priority, and reading clubs run during lunch.

Curriculum trips are extensive. Language students undertake study visits to Spain, Germany and France. Drama and music tours visit European venues. Geography offers an Icelandic study visit. These are not frills; they are opportunities built into the curriculum to deepen learning in context.

Beaumont School feeds pupils into a wide range of sixth forms and universities. Most Year 11 leavers stay at Beaumont for the sixth form, though some move to selective grammars or independent sixth forms. The school has strong progression relationships with Russell Group universities and competitive universities including Durham, Bristol, Exeter and Edinburgh. Medical school remains popular, with 18 pupils securing medical places in recent years.

The sixth form benefits directly from the BeauSandVer Education Trust consortium. Students can travel by consortium bus between Beaumont, Sandringham and Verulam schools to access A-level courses not run at their home school. This means access to a broader set of subjects than a single school could offer. For sixth form students considering higher education, dedicated careers advice begins early, with impartial guidance woven through the key stage 5 experience.

The breadth of extracurricular activity at Beaumont is substantial and genuine. This is not a list of activities; it is a culture in which students are expected to engage.

Music: A Clear Strength

Music is embedded in school life. The school boasts several ensembles — a chapel choir, a symphony orchestra, and smaller chamber groups. In December, singers and instrumentalists perform Christmas carols in St Albans town centre for charity, a visible presence in the community. Beaumont musicians participate in National Youth Theatre and Youth Music Theatre UK, with a record number of pupils securing places in recent years. Instrumental tuition is available on-site across a range of instruments. The prospect of new music facilities as part of the School Rebuilding Project (announced recently) signals ongoing investment in this pillar.

Drama: Professional and Ambitious

The drama department produces two major school productions yearly. Lower school drama clubs give performances in the summer term. The department received National Lottery funding to commission playwright Mark Wheeller to write a verbatim play titled Game Over, based on the true story of Breck Bednar, a victim of online exploitation. This play, premiered by Beaumont students, received extensive national television and media coverage. The school replayed it to audiences across Hertfordshire, turning a difficult subject into educational advocacy. Year 7 and Year 8 drama clubs have produced versions of The Jungle Book and Speak Up in recent years, often using the open-air amphitheatre outside A Block.

Sport: Accessibility and Excellence

Every student is encouraged to participate in sport. The school operates multiple outdoor pitches (including 9-a-side and 11-a-side football fields), a modern indoor sports hall, an AstroTurf facility and a state-of-the-art fitness suite. Sport options include rugby, football, netball, hockey, cricket, tennis and athletics. House competitions drive inter-year engagement, with students competing for their houses across sports days. Elite pathways exist; those with genuine talent in particular sports receive coaching and competitive opportunities. But the broader culture emphasises participation for all.

STEM and Innovation

The new science block, completed in 2020, contains twelve laboratories and six additional teaching rooms. This investment signals the school's commitment to STEM education beyond the purely curricular. A Science Club runs regularly, and computing clubs attract strong participation. The school celebrates STEM achievement publicly, with news features highlighting student successes in robotics and coding competitions.

Additional Clubs and Opportunities

The school offers clubs across the full spectrum: Home Learning Club, Reading Clubs, Computer Clubs, Art Clubs, Chess Club, and many others. Photography rooms and art studios remain open for students to continue work in progress, often with sixth form student support. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme runs at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, with significant annual cohorts participating. Each year, numerous pupils are entered for the scheme and achieve award recognition.

Interform competitions test various skills. These are not limited to sport; science challenges and drama performances feature alongside athletic contests, ensuring multiple pathways for students to contribute and succeed.

Beaumont is a non-selective comprehensive. Places at Year 7 are allocated by the local authority admissions process. The school is oversubscribed; applications far exceed offers. In the most recent data, the school received 1,150 applications for 231 places, a ratio of nearly 5:1. This reflects strong local demand. Applications from across a wide area within Hertfordshire are entertained, and the school serves families from Fleetville to Marshalswick and beyond.

Secondary transfer evenings typically run in October. Open mornings for Year 6 pupils can be booked in advance. The sixth form open evening runs in January. The school welcomes visitors, and families are encouraged to see the facilities and understand the breadth of opportunity before deciding to apply.

Hertfordshire local authority manages the admissions timeline. Registration deadlines typically fall in October for September entry.

The pastoral system rests on the house structure. Each house has dedicated staff leadership. Form tutors work with small tutor groups (typically 6–8 pupils) and provide academic oversight. The school employs counsellors and has formal safeguarding systems in place. Students report feeling safe and know how to raise concerns. The recent May 2025 Ofsted inspection confirmed that pupils feel safe and that bullying is uncommon but taken seriously when it occurs. Strong systems track and monitor discrimination and bullying.

Sixth form students take particular pride in mentoring younger pupils. This vertical community building — where older students actively care for younger ones — creates a genuine sense of belonging.

School day: 8:50am to 3:20pm. Transport links are good. The school is accessible from St Albans town centre and surrounding areas. Parking on-site is limited, but bus routes serve the school well. The school website provides detailed visiting information and guidance for parents.

The uniform is a formal blazer, shirt and tie code. School meals are available daily. The library is staffed and offers support for independent learning.

Oversubscription is intense. The school receives nearly five applications for every place. Families living outside the immediate area may find admission challenging. Geographic distance becomes a factor in allocating places once higher-priority groups (looked-after children, siblings) have been considered.

The pace is brisk. Beaumont is an ambitious, academically-focused school. Whilst not a selective grammar, the culture is one of achievement and expectation. Families who prioritise a relaxed approach to secondary education may find the atmosphere more driven than they prefer.

The sixth form is larger but partly shared. Whilst Beaumont runs its own sixth form (approximately 500 students across Years 12 and 13), students can study at partner schools via the BeauSandVer consortium. This is a strength for breadth but means some A-level cohorts may be smaller or delivered off-site. Families should check specific subject availability.

Beaumont School delivers strong academics, above-average results in both GCSE and A-level, and a genuine breadth of non-academic opportunity. The school is not selective, meaning it admits pupils across the full ability range, yet somehow manages to create an atmosphere of purpose and expectation that suits ambitious families well. Best suited to families within accessible distance of St Albans who value a broad curriculum, active engagement in music and drama, and a non-selective school that achieves selective-school results.