Libertas per cultum (freedom through education). This Latin motto, displayed at the entrance, captures a school in the midst of genuine transformation. Future Academies Watford has undergone remarkable change since Sam Fox arrived as Principal in September 2023, bringing a track record of turning around struggling schools. The April 2025 Ofsted inspection validated this shift, awarding Good across all areas and Outstanding for both Personal Development and Leadership and Management. Results remain below England averages, but trajectory matters here: younger cohorts are now learning more and remembering more, while older students work to overcome gaps from previous years. For families in the Garston area seeking a local secondary with improving standards and a strong culture of behaviour, this school warrants serious consideration.
The school day begins with a ritual that sets the tone. Every student is greeted with a handshake at the gates. This small act signals something larger: a commitment to relationships, respect, and high expectations that now runs through the institution.
The site itself reflects investment. The main building was rebuilt in 2012 at a cost of £25 million, a three-storey structure housing Science, Languages, IT, and Humanities that connects to an older English and Mathematics block from 2001. The facilities are functional rather than historic; this is not a school trading on architectural heritage but on what happens inside the walls.
Three values underpin daily life: Knowledge, Aspiration, and Respect. These are shared across the Future Academies trust, but they take tangible form here. Knowledge means a curriculum led by subject specialists. Aspiration means refusing to accept low expectations. Respect means a behaviour system that students describe as firm but fair.
The school's history stretches back to 1954, when Francis Combe School opened as a secondary modern. Named after Francis Combe, a Hemel Hempstead landowner who founded a charity school in Watford in 1651, the institution became Watford's first comprehensive in 1966. Academy conversion came in 2009, initially as Francis Combe Academy specialising in English, art and media. The current name arrived in 2020 with entry into the Future Academies trust. Each iteration brought change; this latest chapter appears to represent the most significant shift in culture and ambition.
Mr Sam Fox leads as Executive Principal, with Mr D. Kalogirou as Head of Academy. Fox arrived in September 2023 with experience transforming underperforming schools caught in cycles of low expectations. His approach is visible in everything from the handshake ritual to the behaviour systems. The school won Future School of the Year 2023, recognition that improvement had begun.
Results tell an honest story. In 2024, the school's Attainment 8 score of 39.4 sits below the England average. Progress 8 at -0.16 indicates students made slightly below-average progress from their starting points. The school ranks 2,946th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 9th among secondary schools in Watford.
These figures require context. The school reports approximately a third of a grade improvement on the previous year, with 90% of subjects showing positive progress. English Language and Literature achieved 67% at grade 4 or above, noted as above the England average. Art and Design saw 18% achieve grade 7 or higher; History reached 20% at top grades.
Inspectors noted that older pupils faced challenges from previous educational gaps. The curriculum has been adapted to address these deficiencies, with staff working intensively to help students catch up. Younger cohorts benefit from improvements embedded from the start of their secondary education.
The sixth form shows more dramatic improvement. Value-added at 0.13 indicates students made above-expected progress. The average grade is C. The school reports improvement of approximately 0.8 of a grade from the previous year.
The transformation in grade distribution is striking: 18% earned A* or A grades compared to 4% previously. A*-B grades rose from 12% to 39%. A*-C grades moved from 28% to 66%.
In England ranking terms, the sixth form sits at 1,742nd and 7th locally in Watford. These positions place performance below England averages, yet the upward trajectory is unmistakable.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
39.34%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
University destinations demonstrate the sixth form's value. In 2024, 96% of applicants secured their first-choice university place. 24% confirmed attendance at Russell Group institutions.
The school recorded one Oxbridge acceptance in the most recent measurement period, with a student securing a place at Cambridge following two applications and one offer. This represents early evidence that academic ambition can lead to elite destinations.
Broader destination data from 2024 leavers shows 58% progressing to university, 18% entering employment, 5% pursuing further education, and 5% starting apprenticeships. The relatively high employment figure reflects practical career pathways for students who prefer direct entry to work.
Total Offers
1
Offer Success Rate: 50%
Cambridge
1
Offers
Oxford
—
Offers
The curriculum operates as knowledge-rich, delivered by subject specialists sharing what the school describes as the very best that has been thought, written and said. This is Future Academies trust philosophy made local.
Staff development is prioritised. Inspectors noted that lessons are led by skilled teachers with strong understanding of the curriculum. Students notice this change and speak positively about their education. The focus on teachers' subject expertise ensures content is delivered with confidence and depth.
The curriculum has been expertly constructed to ensure learners have the skills and knowledge to access highly ambitious content. Educational enrichment complements and strengthens academic study. This dual approach, rigorous classroom teaching paired with broader learning opportunities, aims to develop students who can think as well as recall.
Assessment follows predictable patterns. Homework varies by key stage, using platforms like Sparx Maths for retrieval practice and reading assignments. Sixth form students undertake significant independent study beyond classroom contact time.
Quality of Education
Requires Improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires Improvement
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires Improvement
Every student has a form tutor they see daily during 30-minute tutor sessions. This consistent contact point ensures someone notices when things are not right. Heads of Year oversee each cohort, providing an additional layer of support and accountability.
The school employs a dedicated mental health practitioner. The Hive provides a calm, safe space for students needing time away from the main environment. The library and sports activities during lunch offer alternative spaces for those who find unstructured social time challenging.
External partnerships extend support options. The school works with CAMHS, Hertfordshire Mind, family support workers, and art therapy providers. Welfare desks staffed by pastoral support officers handle day-to-day concerns. Students with SEND receive emotional literacy sessions, mentoring, and access to safe spaces.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr Holloway, supported by Mrs Abercrombie and Mr Fox as Deputy DSLs. Safeguarding was noted positively in the recent inspection, with leaders maintaining appropriate oversight and response systems.
The academy offers elite coaching in three sports: netball, football, and cricket. This dual pathway serves both students seeking competitive development and those preferring participation without pressure. All sports are open to students of all year groups regardless of ability.
Every student joining Future Academies Watford receives a subsidised opportunity to learn a musical instrument. This accessibility policy removes financial barriers that often prevent students from disadvantaged backgrounds from accessing music education. Those who continue their instrument can join the school orchestra, which performs at key events throughout the year. The choir maintains a high standard and contributes to school celebrations.
LAMDA tuition is available to Key Stage 3 students. These sessions develop communication skills and build confidence, preparing students for a national qualification by year end. Public speaking and debating opportunities feature in the sixth form enrichment programme.
The art department provides masterclasses beyond the standard curriculum, allowing students to develop and explore techniques in greater depth. These sessions give students space for creative experimentation that timetabled lessons cannot always accommodate.
A five-year programme of trips exposes students to experiences beyond Watford. Destinations include a ski trip to France, the Houses of Parliament, a languages trip to France or Spain, battlefield tours, and Auschwitz. These experiences connect classroom learning to real places and events.
Sixth form students engage with specialist lectures, cultural events, and visits to museums, galleries, and theatres. Bespoke work experience placements connect academic study to career possibilities. Duke of Edinburgh qualifications and First Aid certifications provide practical skills and recognised achievements.
Future Academies Watford is its own admitting authority. Applications for Year 7 entry go through Hertfordshire County Council, with the window opening in September 2025 for September 2026 entry.
The Published Admission Number is 210 places annually. In 2025, the school received 273 applications and offered 283 places, indicating capacity remains available. The school is currently undersubscribed, with a subscription proportion of 0.96. This represents an opportunity for families who discover the school late in the admissions cycle.
Oversubscription criteria follow a standard hierarchy: children with Education, Health and Care Plans naming the school; looked-after and previously looked-after children; those with medical or social grounds; siblings; children of staff; then distance from the school gates. In 2025, 141 of 283 places were allocated under the distance criterion.
The school currently has vacancies in Year 7 through Year 11 for in-year applications, an unusual position that reflects its past reputation. Families moving to the area or seeking alternative provision have options here.
Year 6 prospective students can attend informal coffee mornings in October 2025:
Booking is required through the school website. Places are limited; early registration is encouraged.
Current Year 11 students receive an electronic application form for progression to Year 12. External applicants complete an application form available from the school website. The Sixth Form Open Evening is scheduled for Monday 17 November 2025, 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Registration is required.
A-level subjects include facilitating subjects commonly needed for entry to leading universities: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature, and classical or modern languages.
Applications
256
Total received
Places Offered
267
Subscription Rate
1.0x
Apps per place
The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:05pm across six periods. Students should arrive by 8:20am for an 8:25am line-up.
Breakfast and homework club are available from 7:45am, providing supervised time before the school day begins. This supports working families and gives students space for early morning study.
Mobile phones are banned from site. Devices cannot be seen or heard during the school day. Parents choose from three options: no phone, basic phone only, or smartphone with the understanding that visible devices are confiscated for 24 hours.
The school sits on Horseshoe Lane in Garston. Bus routes 20, W1, 306A, 319, 320, 635, 724, and 725 serve the area. The nearest bus stop, Future Academies Watford at Woodside, is a one-minute walk from the school gates. Garston railway station is approximately 0.9 miles away, connecting to Watford Junction. The Metropolitan line serves Watford tube station, roughly a 25-minute walk from the school. Families from central Watford will find bus connections most practical.
Results remain below average. While trajectory is positive and younger cohorts show improvement, current GCSE outcomes sit in the bottom 40% of schools in England. Families seeking already-strong results should look at other Watford options. Those willing to bet on continued improvement may find value here.
Reputation lags reality. The school's Requires Improvement history and previous incarnations created a reputation that the current leadership is working to shift. Some families still associate the site with past concerns. The 2025 Good rating may take time to change perceptions.
Small sixth form. With approximately 62 students in the sixth form, subject choices may be constrained. Students seeking less common A-levels should verify availability before committing.
Mobile phone ban is strict. The zero-tolerance approach to devices suits some families and frustrates others. Students accustomed to phone access during breaks will need to adjust.
Future Academies Watford represents a school genuinely transformed. The April 2025 inspection confirms what students and staff already knew: expectations have risen, behaviour has improved, and learning has become more ambitious. Results have not yet caught up with culture change, but the direction is clear. Outstanding ratings for Personal Development and Leadership provide confidence that improvement will continue.
Best suited to families in the Garston area seeking a local secondary with strong pastoral support, improving academic standards, and a culture where knowledge, aspiration, and respect are more than slogans. The current availability of places represents an opportunity rather than a warning sign. For students who would have struggled to thrive in a more pressurised environment, the combination of high expectations and genuine support may prove exactly right.
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in April 2025, with Outstanding grades for Personal Development and Leadership and Management. This represents significant improvement from the previous Requires Improvement rating. GCSE and A-level results remain below England averages but show strong upward trajectory, with the sixth form achieving 39% at A*-B grades compared to 12% previously.
Year 7 applications are made through Hertfordshire County Council, not directly to the school. The application window opens in September for entry the following September. The deadline is typically 31 October, with national offer day on 1 March. In-year applications for students currently of secondary age can be made directly to the school via Mrs Reema Vasa.
No. The school received 273 applications for 283 places in 2025, making it undersubscribed. Places are currently available in all year groups from Year 7 to Year 11. This represents an opportunity for families who discover the school after the main admissions round.
In 2024, Attainment 8 was 39.4 and Progress 8 was -0.16. English Language and Literature achieved 67% at grade 4 or above. The school reports approximately a third of a grade improvement on the previous year, with 90% of subjects showing positive progress.
Yes. The sixth form offers A-level courses in facilitating subjects including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature, and languages. In 2024, 96% of applicants secured their first-choice university place and 24% attended Russell Group institutions. The Sixth Form Open Evening for 2026 entry is Monday 17 November 2025.
Get in touch with the school directly
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