Westfield Academy
Tolpits Lane, Watford, WD18 6NSOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Westfield Academy is a secondary school in Watford for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 6th of 6 secondary schools in Watford. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 5 November 2024, report published 13 January 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
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 5 November 2024
At this inclusive school, pupils get off to a great start. This is because staff help pupils to 'believe, strive and achieve'. Staff believe in pupils' abilities and potential. Pupils get plenty of help, support and encouragement with their studies. Pupils and students in the sixth form learn an ambitious curriculum. This includes the opportunity to study a varied range of academic and vocational subjects, including the high-quality football academy. Highly effective careers advice guides and motivates pupils and students in the sixth form to 'aim high'. Many move on to ambitious destinations in the world of work or further study. Wider trips and experiences take pupils beyond their day-to-day lives. Pupils value the lessons they learn from the varied external speakers that visit their assemblies. Exciting trips abroad or the popular Duke of Edinburgh's Award enable pupils to try something different. Pupils enjoy the sports clubs and other extra-curricular activities on offer. Clear routines support most pupils to behave well. Pupils are respectful to each other and to staff. The student council works closely with staff to make positive changes to school life, for instance improving the rewards system or introducing further opportunities to celebrate the school's diverse community.
What the school should improve
- A small number of teachers are still developing their expertise, so they do not always check pupils' understanding effectively. This means that gaps in pupils' understanding are not spotted or addressed as quickly as they could be. The school should ensure that all staff use assessment effectively so that any gaps in knowledge are spotted promptly and addressed.
- The new approach to supporting pupils with their phonics and reading has only just started. Pupils are yet to benefit from this support. The school should ensure that programmes to support pupils with their reading are implemented well so that pupils have the necessary skills to access the full curriculum and achieve their potential.
- A minority of staff do not use the school's behaviour systems and routines consistently well. In these instances, pupils' behaviour is not addressed in an effective or fair manner. The school should ensure that all staff know and understand the procedures to address poor behaviour and use these consistently and fairly.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
195 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
40 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,331 pupils on roll, with places for 1,600
Schools near Westfield Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watford Grammar School for Boys | 0.5 miles | Report card: Strong standard to exceptional | Attainment 8: 68.9 |
| Croxley Danes School | 0.8 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 51.3 |
| Watford Grammar School for Girls | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 68.2 |
| Merchant Taylors' School | 0.9 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 21.7 |
| Rickmansworth School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 61.2 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- WESTFIELD ACADEMY
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Tim Body
- Phone
- 01923231560
- Address
- Tolpits Lane, Watford, WD18 6NS
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- URN
- 140049
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.