Ridgeway Academy

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 18

Ofsted judgements: Good

Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2AFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Ridgeway Academy is a secondary school in Welwyn Garden City for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 3rd of 3 secondary schools in Welwyn Garden City. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 3 June 2025, report published 7 July 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Sixth form provision: Good
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

153 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score35.7

35.7, 10.4 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths24.8%

24.8%, 20.6 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths48.4%

48.4%, 16.4 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc15.7%

15.7%, 24.8 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score2.93

2.93, 1.16 below the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

34 students

Average point score per A level entry27.67

27.67, 7.33 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

875 pupils on roll, with places for 1,220

Eligible for free school meals33.1%

33.1%, 6.6 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language8.8%

8.8%, 12.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support19.9%

19.9%, 5.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.3%

3.3%, 2.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Ridgeway Academy

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Monk's Walk School	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 50.8
Stanborough School	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 47.9
Sherrardswood School	2 miles	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 52.0
The Sele School	3 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good	Attainment 8: 35.7
Onslow St Audrey's School	3 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 36.6

School details

School type: Academy sponsor led
Sector: Academy
Trust: AMBITION EDUCATION TRUST
Age range: 11 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mrs Sarah Mitcherson
Phone: 01707351350
Website: ridgeway.herts.sch.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2AF
Local authority: Hertfordshire
URN: 146305

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.