The short version
Average GCSE results. 89% capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2014).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 46.7 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2014
- This is a Church of England school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
46.7
2.9 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
40%
1.7pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
17%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
C-
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
-0.02
Band 3Source: 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
88%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
2%
Employment
Directly into work
4%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
3%
Based on 125 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 20 days per year on average — over a month of school.
29% 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, 14 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 10 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 77 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Church of England
Numbers
- Pupils
- 756
- Capacity
- 89%
- FSM
- 24.4%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- Head
- Mr Anthony Flack (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
8 official reports linked on this page, including 7 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Short inspection
May 2018 | Short Inspection
Full inspection: Good
December 2014 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
February 2013 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
January 2013 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Satisfactory
May 2011 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Satisfactory
March 2008 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
March 2004 | Full Inspection
Location
High Oaks, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 6DR
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmMargaret Wix Primary School
Primary · 341m away
St Albans Girls' School
Secondary · 863m away
Batchwood School
Special school · 967m away
Garden Fields Junior Mixed and Infant School
Primary · 1.1km away
Bernards Heath Junior School
Primary · 1.4km away
Bernards Heath Infant and Nursery School
Primary · 1.8km away
St Albans High School for Girls
Independent · 2.0km away
Muriel Green Nursery School
Nursery · 2.1km away
Questions parents ask
Is Townsend Church of England School a selective school?
No. Townsend Church of England School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Townsend Church of England School's Ofsted rating?
Townsend Church of England School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in January 2024. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Townsend Church of England School?
Townsend Church of England School currently has 756 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Townsend Church of England School take?
Townsend Church of England School caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Townsend Church of England School?
Townsend Church of England School is in St Albans, AL3 6DR, in the Hertfordshire local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Townsend Church of England School have a sixth form?
Yes, Townsend Church of England School 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.