Samuel Ryder Academy
Drakes Drive, St Albans, AL1 5AR
Headteacher: Mr Matthew GauthierSchool website ↗Pupils: 1,577 (capacity: 1520)Part of SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Ofsted RatingInspected 29 June 2022Full report ↗
Good
From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.
Quality of Teaching
Good
Behaviour in School
Good
Pupils' Wider Development
Outstanding
School Leadership
Outstanding
GCSE Results (2024/25)
GCSE results for Year 11 pupils. National averages shown for comparison.
Reading, Writing & Maths combinedⓘReading, Writing & Maths% of pupils achieving the expected standard in all three subjects at age 11The national average is around 60%. Higher means more pupils reached the expected level.
80.0%
Exceeding expected level (Reading, Writing & Maths)ⓘHigher Standard — Reading, Writing & Maths% of pupils exceeding the expected level in all three subjectsA more demanding threshold. The national average is around 8%.
20.0%
Reading
Expected level93.0%
Exceeding55.0%
Average scoreⓘReading Average ScoreAverage scaled score in the reading test (range 80–120, average = 100)110.0
Writing
Expected level82.0%
Exceeding20.0%
Maths
Expected level95.0%
Exceeding57.0%
Average scoreⓘMaths Average ScoreAverage scaled score in the maths test (range 80–120, average = 100)110.0
Attainment 8ⓘAttainment 8Average grade across a pupil's best 8 GCSEs, including English and MathsEach GCSE grade is converted to a points score (grade 9 = 9 points, grade 1 = 1 point). The national average is around 46.
56.5
English & Maths Grade 4+ⓘEnglish & Maths — Grade 4+ (Standard Pass)% of pupils achieving at least a grade 4 in both English and MathsGrade 4 is the minimum "standard pass". Employers and colleges often require grade 4 in English and Maths.
81.6%
English & Maths Grade 5+ⓘEnglish & Maths — Grade 5+ (Strong Pass)% of pupils achieving at least a grade 5 in both English and MathsGrade 5 is a "strong pass". Many sixth forms and universities expect grade 5 in English and Maths.
69.7%
English Baccalaureate (EBacc)ⓘEBacc Entry% of pupils who entered the English Baccalaureate — a set of GCSE subjects covering English, Maths, Sciences, a Language, and HumanitiesEBacc entry keeps academic options open post-16. It is not a separate qualification.
Pupils entered for EBacc40.0%
EBacc Grade 4+ⓘEBacc — Grade 4+ (Standard Pass)% of pupils achieving grade 4 or above across all EBacc subjects30.3%
EBacc Grade 5+ⓘEBacc — Grade 5+ (Strong Pass)% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above across all EBacc subjects22.2%
How Hard to Get Into This School (2025/26)
✓ Not Oversubscribed
Year 7 places per year
145
Applications received
714
Families who got their first-choice
0.9%
Pupils & Inclusion
Eligible for pupil premium
13.0%
Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds
English as an additional languageⓘEnglish as an Additional Language% of pupils whose first language is not English
10.0%
Pupils receiving SEN supportⓘSEN Support% of pupils receiving SEN (Special Educational Needs) support without a formal planThese pupils need extra help but do not yet have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
13.0%
Location
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Results Over Time
Detailed year-by-year figures
| Year | Attainment 8 | Progress 8 | English & Maths Grade 4+ | English & Maths Grade 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015/16 | - | - | - | - |
| 2016/17 | - | - | - | - |
| 2017/18 | - | - | - | - |
| 2018/19 | - | - | - | - |
| 2022/23 | - | - | - | - |
| 2023/24 | - | - | - | - |
| 2024/25 | 56.5 | - | 81.6% | 69.7% |