Goffs Academy Review 2026: Modern Facilities, Ambitious Culture

From the sleek, glass-fronted facade of its 2017 purpose-built campus, Goffs Academy projects the image of a modern, business-like institution. Located in Cheshunt, this mixed comprehensive serves over 1,500 students and acts as the lead school in the Generations Multi Academy Trust. Demand for places is fierce, with the latest data showing more than three applications for every seat.

Mr Mark Ellis has led the school as Principal since January 2018. His tenure has seen the school solidify its reputation for discipline and academic rigour. The latest Ofsted inspection in May 2023 confirmed the school remains Good, with the specific judgement for Behaviour and Attitudes rising to Outstanding.

Walking past the electronic gates, the atmosphere is purposeful and orderly. The £20 million redevelopment replaced aging blocks with a facility designed to mimic a corporate environment. Corridors are wide and bright; classrooms are equipped with the latest interactive technology. This is not a school that relies on the charm of creaking floorboards but one that offers a functional, high-specification environment for learning.

The school operates on a House system—Eagle, Falcon, Hawk, and Phoenix—which provides the pastoral backbone and fuels healthy competition. Students wear their house colours on their ties, and house points are a currency of significant value, traded for rewards and contributing to the annual House Cup.

The core values of Respect, Resilience, and Responsibility are visible throughout the building and in the conduct of students. There is a clear "Goffs way" of doing things: strict uniform standards, punctual movement between lessons, and a focus on leadership. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their community, with opportunities ranging from the Student Parliament to Digital Leaders who assist with the school's technology.

Academic performance at GCSE is a clear strength, consistently exceeding national benchmarks. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.22, indicating that students make above-average progress from their primary school starting points compared to peers across England.

Ranked 1318th in England and 1st in Waltham Cross for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school’s performance sits in the national typical band, outperforming the majority of local alternatives.

The attainment data supports this positive picture. The average Attainment 8 score stood at 49.5, well above the England average of 45.9. Nearly a quarter of students (23.5%) achieved grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), reflecting a curriculum that maintains breadth in core academic subjects.

At A-level, the picture is solid, though raw attainment is lower than at GCSE. The school ranks 1644th in England and 1st in Waltham Cross for A-level outcomes. In 2024, 42% of grades awarded were A*-B. While this places the sixth form in the national lower band for raw attainment (top 62%), it is important to view this in the context of an inclusive sixth form that offers a wide range of BTEC and vocational courses alongside traditional A-levels.

The curriculum is designed to be broad and ambitious, spanning three years for Key Stage 3 to ensure students are not rushed into exam choices. Teaching follows clear structures, with a heavy emphasis on "active learning". Teachers use consistent routines to manage behaviour, allowing lessons to proceed without low-level disruption.

Literacy is a major focus. The "Goffs Literacy Strategy" permeates all subjects, not just English. You will see "Word of the Week" displays and reading initiatives across the school, aiming to close the vocabulary gap that can hinder progress in exams.

In the Sixth Form, the teaching style shifts to require greater independence. Students have access to dedicated study areas and are expected to manage their non-contact time effectively. The curriculum offer is wide, including A-levels in Psychology, Sociology, and Photography alongside the facilitating subjects.

The school has a strong track record of securing positive destinations for its leavers. In 2024, 53% of Year 13 leavers progressed to university. The school’s career guidance is robust, ensuring students consider all pathways.

For the most academic students, the "Top University" pathway provides support for competitive applications. In the 2024 cycle, 11 students applied to Oxbridge, with three receiving offers and one securing a place at Cambridge. This demonstrates that for the most able, the pathway to elite institutions is open and supported.

Apprenticeships are a significant and celebrated route. 8% of the cohort secured apprenticeships, often with major firms in the City or local engineering companies, reflecting the school's emphasis on employability skills. Employment was the destination for 24% of leavers, many of whom entered the workforce with strong vocational qualifications.

Admission to Goffs Academy is coordinated by Hertfordshire County Council. The school is consistently oversubscribed. For the most recent intake, there were 724 applications for 237 places, a subscription proportion of 3.05. This makes entry fiercely competitive.

The admissions criteria follow a specific hierarchy. After looked-after children and siblings, a unique feature of Goffs is the aptitude criterion. Up to 10% of places are allocated to students who demonstrate aptitude in languages, determined by a test taken in the autumn of Year 6. This route provides an opportunity for students living further away who might not secure a place on distance alone.

The remaining places are allocated based on distance from the school. In recent years, the catchment area has tightened significantly due to the volume of applications. Families relying on the distance criterion should check the "last distance offered" data on the Hertfordshire admissions website carefully.

Pastoral care is organised through the House system, but day-to-day support comes from Directors of Learning (Heads of Year) and a dedicated pastoral team who are non-teaching staff. This availability during lesson time is a crucial asset, meaning issues can be dealt with immediately rather than waiting for a teacher to have a free period.

The school takes mental health seriously. A dedicated Wellbeing Centre provides a quiet space for students, and the school employs counsellors to support those with more significant needs. The atmosphere is supportive, and bullying is dealt with firmly. The 2023 Ofsted inspection judged Behaviour and Attitudes to be Outstanding, noting that pupils feel happy and safe.

The extracurricular offer, branded as the "Goffs Experience", is extensive. Participation is not just encouraged; it is tracked.

Sport and Fitness

The facilities are exceptional. A large sports hall, fitness suite, dance studio, and a floodlit 3G pitch support a busy fixtures list. The school fields competitive teams in football, netball, rugby, and basketball, frequently reaching county finals.

The Arts

The performing arts are vibrant. The school puts on major annual productions—recent examples include Grease and Les Misérables—which utilise the professional-grade lighting and sound systems in the main hall.

Leadership and Service

The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a pillar of the school's character education. Students in the CCF learn drill, fieldcraft, and resilience, often attending camps that challenge them physically and mentally. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is also hugely popular, with large cohorts completing Bronze and Silver awards annually.

As a state-funded academy, Goffs Academy charges no tuition fees. Education is free for all students.

Parents should be aware of standard additional costs. These typically include the school uniform, sports kit, and voluntary contributions for educational visits or field trips. Individual music tuition is available at an extra cost, though families eligible for Free School Meals may access subsidies. The school runs a 16-19 Bursary Fund for sixth form students facing financial barriers, helping with costs such as transport, books, and equipment.

The school day begins at 8:30am with registration or assembly. Lessons finish at 3:00pm, though many students stay later for clubs or intervention sessions.

Located on Goffs Lane, the school is well-served by local buses connecting to Cheshunt and Cuffley. For those cycling, secure storage is available. The site includes extensive car parking, easing the chaos of drop-off and pick-up compared to schools on tighter residential streets.

Oversubscription risks. With over three applications for every place, securing a seat is the primary challenge. Families living more than a mile away without a sibling link or language aptitude may find themselves on a waiting list.

Business-like culture. The school prides itself on a corporate, disciplined atmosphere. Students who thrive on structure and clear rules do well here; those who require a more flexible or nurturing approach might find the environment exacting.

Sixth Form academic profile. While GCSE results are strong, the A-level ranking sits in the national lower band. This partly reflects an inclusive intake, but families seeking an elite academic hothouse for sixth form should scrutinise the specific results for their chosen subjects.

Goffs Academy is a high-performing, disciplined state school that offers facilities rivalling the independent sector. The combination of strong GCSE results, a modern learning environment, and a vast extracurricular menu makes it a compelling choice. Best suited to driven students who will thrive in a structured, busy environment and take advantage of the leadership opportunities on offer. The main challenge is securing a place.