The short version
Average GCSE results. 75% capacity. Rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted (2022).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 39.8 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in 2022
- 34% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, above the national average
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
39.8
4.0 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
32%
9.7pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
65%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
C
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
+0.44
Band 1Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
94%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
89%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
3%
Employment
Directly into work
3%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
3%
Based on 189 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 19 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
24% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
5% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 19 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 12 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 84 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,018
- Capacity
- 75%
- FSM
- 34.2%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- Trust
- FUTURE ACADEMIES
- Head
- Mr Sam Fox (Principal)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
9 official reports linked on this page, including 8 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Monitoring visit
March 2024 | Monitoring Visit
School inspection: Requires Improvement
June 2022 | School Inspection
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
March 2019 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Good
November 2015 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
March 2014 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
November 2013 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Satisfactory
June 2012 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
June 2011 | Monitoring Visit
Location
Horseshoe Lane, Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 7HW
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmFrancis Combe School and Community College
Secondary · Very close
Garston Manor School
Special school · Very close
St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School
Primary · 482m away
Alban Wood Primary School and Nursery
Primary · 569m away
Coates Way JMI and Nursery School
Primary · 956m away
Kingswood Nursery School
Nursery · 1.2km away
Stanborough Primary School
Independent · 1.2km away
Mount Pleasant Lane Primary School
Primary · 1.2km away
Questions parents ask
Is Future Academies Watford a selective school?
No. Future Academies Watford is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Future Academies Watford's Ofsted rating?
Future Academies Watford was rated Requires Improvement at its most recent inspection in April 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Future Academies Watford?
Future Academies Watford currently has 1,018 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Future Academies Watford take?
Future Academies Watford caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Future Academies Watford?
Future Academies Watford is in Watford, WD25 7HW, in the Hertfordshire local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Future Academies Watford have a sixth form?
Yes, Future Academies Watford has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
Premium school profiles
Researching a selective school?
We hold deep admissions intelligence on the UK's top selective schools — exam breakdowns, interview formats, and parent strategy briefs.