Goffs-Churchgate Academy Review 2026: Small School with Big Ambition

Goffs-Churchgate Academy operates with a distinct philosophy: that a smaller school environment allows for deeper personal connections and more tailored academic support. Located in Cheshunt and serving the Waltham Cross area, this co-educational secondary school provides for approximately 600 students aged 11 to 16. It is part of the Generations Multi-Academy Trust, sharing a close partnership with its larger sister school, Goffs Academy. The school has undergone a significant transformation since joining the trust in 2017, moving from a period of historical challenge to its current status as a popular, oversubscribed choice for local families. With a Progress 8 score of +0.37, students here make progress that is significantly above the England average.

The atmosphere at Goffs-Churchgate is defined by its scale. Because the school is smaller than the typical Hertfordshire secondary, there is a palpable sense of community where students and staff are often on a first-name basis. This intimacy is a core part of the school's identity, which it describes as the Churchgate Way. The focus is on mutual respect, high expectations, and a "no excuses" culture regarding behaviour and effort.

Danny Bryant took over as Principal in 2024, continuing the trajectory of improvement established since the academy's conversion. The school has worked hard to shed its past reputation, and the physical environment reflects this renewal. Significant investment has been made in the facilities, including a refurbished sports hall, brand new Science and ICT wings, and an indoor swimming pool, ensuring the smaller footprint does not mean fewer opportunities.

Student leadership is highly visible. The house system provides a framework for students to connect across different year groups, further reinforcing the close-knit feel of the academy. Competitive house events and charitable initiatives are central to the termly calendar.

Academic performance at Goffs-Churchgate tells a story of consistent value-added growth. In the 2024 GCSE results, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 45.6, which is remarkably close to the England average of 45.9. However, the standout metric is the Progress 8 score of +0.37. This indicates that, on average, students at this academy achieve nearly half a grade higher in each of their subjects than students of similar ability elsewhere in England.

Ranked 2167th in England and 3rd in Waltham Cross for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school’s performance reflects solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). While the percentage of pupils achieving Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is 11.8%, the overall progress scores suggest that the school is particularly effective at supporting students to exceed their predicted trajectories from their starting points in Year 7.

The curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced, even with the school's smaller size. In Years 7 and 8, students follow a wide-ranging programme that includes traditional academic subjects alongside the arts, technology, and physical education. As students move into Key Stage 4, they can choose from a variety of GCSE and vocational options. The school places a heavy emphasis on literacy and numeracy, with dedicated intervention programmes for students who enter Year 7 below the expected standard.

Teachers benefit from the wider Generations Multi-Academy Trust network, sharing best practices and professional development with colleagues at Goffs Academy. This collaborative approach ensures that the curriculum remains rigorous and up to date. Class sizes are manageable, allowing teachers to provide more individualised feedback, which students cite as a major factor in their confidence.

Where Students Go Next

As an 11-16 academy, Goffs-Churchgate does not have its own sixth form. However, its partnership with Goffs Academy provides a natural pathway for many students. A high proportion of Year 11 leavers (approximately 38%) transition to the Goffs Academy Sixth Form to pursue A-levels, while others move on to further education colleges like Hertford Regional College for technical and vocational qualifications.

The school provides a robust careers programme starting in Year 7, including mock interviews, career fairs, and work experience in Year 10. The goal is to ensure that every student has a clear, ambitious plan for post-16 education, whether that be academic study, an apprenticeship, or employment with training.

Securing a place at Goffs-Churchgate has become increasingly difficult as its reputation has grown. For the 2023 intake, the school was heavily oversubscribed, receiving 600 applications for just 120 places. This resulted in a subscription proportion of 5.0, meaning there were five applications for every available seat.

Admissions are coordinated by Hertfordshire County Council. Priority is given to looked-after children, those with siblings at the school, and those living closest to the academy. Parents interested in this school should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to previous years' intake patterns. Because the school is smaller, the effective "catchment" area can be quite tight during years of peak demand.

Pastoral care is arguably the school's greatest strength, facilitated by its small size. Every student belongs to a form group, and the form tutor acts as the primary point of contact for families. There are also dedicated Heads of Year who oversee the wellbeing and academic progress of their respective cohorts.

The school has a clear anti-bullying policy and a well-resourced SEN (Special Educational Needs) department. Support for students with additional needs is integrated into the school day, with teaching assistants working closely with class teachers. The latest Ofsted report from May 2022, which rated the school Good with an Outstanding grade for Personal Development, noted that students feel safe and well-supported.

The extracurricular life of the academy is designed to punch above its weight. The school offers a range of clubs including the Debate Club, Coding Club, and various musical ensembles. STEM is a particular area of focus, with students participating in regional robotics competitions and science fairs.

Sport is a major pillar of the Churchgate experience. The academy competes in local Hertfordshire leagues for football, netball, and athletics, utilizing its 3G Astro pitch and indoor pool. Additionally, the school runs a successful Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, encouraging students to develop resilience and leadership through outdoor expeditions.

Fees & Financial Aid

Goffs-Churchgate Academy is a state-funded comprehensive school; therefore, there are no tuition fees. It is part of the Generations Multi-Academy Trust, a charitable trust funded by the Department for Education. Financial assistance is available for specific costs such as school trips, uniform, and music lessons for families eligible for the Pupil Premium or Free School Meals. Currently, approximately 33.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, significantly above the England average.

The school day at Goffs-Churchgate typically begins at 8:35am and concludes at 3:00pm. For families requiring earlier starts, the school offers a breakfast club from 8:00am. After-school clubs and interventions generally run until 4:00pm or 4:30pm.

The academy is well-served by local transport links. It is within walking distance of several bus routes serving Cheshunt and Waltham Cross, and Theobalds Grove railway station is approximately a 15-minute walk away. There is limited on-site parking for visitors, so parents are encouraged to use nearby residential streets respectfully during drop-off and pick-up times.

• Significant Oversubscription: With five applications for every place, Goffs-Churchgate is one of the most competitive schools in the area. Families living outside the immediate vicinity may find it difficult to secure a place through distance criteria.
• No On-site Sixth Form: Students must transition to another institution at age 16. While the link with Goffs Academy is strong, students who prefer to stay in one environment from age 11 to 18 may find the move at the end of Year 11 disruptive.
• Small School Dynamics: While the small size fosters a community feel, it also means a smaller peer group. Students who thrive in large, bustling environments with hundreds of children per year group might find Churchgate's 120-pupil intake a bit quiet.
• Trust Integration: The school is heavily integrated with the Generations Multi-Academy Trust. This brings many benefits in terms of resources, but it also means policies and curriculum choices are often set at a trust level.

Goffs-Churchgate Academy is a school that has successfully reinvented itself as a high-performing, nurturing community hub. It offers a rare combination: the academic rigour and resources of a large multi-academy trust delivered within the intimate setting of a small secondary school. The exceptional Progress 8 scores demonstrate that students of all abilities thrive here. Best suited to local families who value a disciplined, supportive environment where their child will be known individually by the leadership team. The primary challenge is simply winning a place in the lottery of admissions.