What did Ofsted judge Ridgeway Academy's quality of education to be?

Ofsted judged Ridgeway Academy's quality of education as Good at its inspection in June 2025, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend Ridgeway Academy?

Ridgeway Academy has 875 pupils on roll.

What ages does Ridgeway Academy take?

Ridgeway Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 18.

Where is Ridgeway Academy located?

Ridgeway Academy is located in Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2AF, Hertfordshire.

How do I apply to Ridgeway Academy?

Ridgeway Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

How far from Ridgeway Academy were places offered?

The furthest place offered at Ridgeway Academy for 2026-27 (Year 7) was 7.11 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

How are Year 7 places decided at Ridgeway Academy?

When Ridgeway Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Children looked after / previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted or became subject to a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order; 2. Medical — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a compelling medical reason for attending the school. A School Admissions panel will determine whether the evidence provided is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this rule; 3. Sibling — Children who have a sibling at the school at the time of application, unless the sibling is in the last year of the normal age-range of the school (ie Year 13), and 4 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point. Tie-break: When there is a need for a tie break where two different addresses are the same distance from a school... the lower door number will be deemed nearest... If there are two identical addresses of separate applicants, the tie break will be random. Every child entered onto the HCC admissions database has an individual random number assigned, between 1 and 1 million, against each preference school. When there is a need for a final tie break the random number is used to allocate the place, with the lowest number given priority. This process will be independently verified.

What is the largest ethnic background at Ridgeway Academy?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 75.2% of pupils at Ridgeway Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Ridgeway Academy: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

School AtlasHertfordshire

Hertfordshire

School AtlasHertfordshire

Hertfordshire

How far did offers reach?

7.11miles

was the furthest place offered for 2026-27 (Year 7). The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

Last distance offered at Ridgeway Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Ridgeway Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Children looked after / previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted or became subject to a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order.
2Medical — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a compelling medical reason for attending the school. A School Admissions panel will determine whether the evidence provided is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this rule.
3Sibling — Children who have a sibling at the school at the time of application, unless the sibling is in the last year of the normal age-range of the school (ie Year 13).
4Children of staff — Children of staff, provided the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, or is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
5Priority area nearest school — Children living in the priority area for whom it is their nearest Hertfordshire maintained school or academy that is non-faith, co-educational and non-partially selective.
6Priority area distance — Children living in the priority area who live nearest to the school.
7Outside priority area distance — Children living outside the priority area on the basis of distance, with those living nearest to the school given priority.

If two applications tie: When there is a need for a tie break where two different addresses are the same distance from a school... the lower door number will be deemed nearest... If there are two identical addresses of separate applicants, the tie break will be random. Every child entered onto the HCC admissions database has an individual random number assigned, between 1 and 1 million, against each preference school. When there is a need for a final tie break the random number is used to allocate the place, with the lowest number given priority. This process will be independently verified.

Priority area towns/parishes listed: Ayot St Peter, Codicote, Essendon, Hatfield, North Mymms, Potters Bar, South Mimms and Ridge, Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn, Woolmer Green. Document also includes a separate Sixth Form oversubscription section with an identical 7-rule structure and PAN of 150 for external students; this entry covers the main Year 7 entry arrangements only as instructed.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

Ridgeway Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Ridgeway Academy's quality of education to be?: Ofsted judged Ridgeway Academy's quality of education as Good at its inspection in June 2025, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Ridgeway Academy?: Ridgeway Academy has 875 pupils on roll.
What ages does Ridgeway Academy take?: Ridgeway Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is Ridgeway Academy located?: Ridgeway Academy is located in Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2AF, Hertfordshire.
How do I apply to Ridgeway Academy?: Ridgeway Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How far from Ridgeway Academy were places offered?: The furthest place offered at Ridgeway Academy for 2026-27 (Year 7) was 7.11 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.
How are Year 7 places decided at Ridgeway Academy?: When Ridgeway Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Children looked after / previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted or became subject to a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order; 2. Medical — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a compelling medical reason for attending the school. A School Admissions panel will determine whether the evidence provided is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this rule; 3. Sibling — Children who have a sibling at the school at the time of application, unless the sibling is in the last year of the normal age-range of the school (ie Year 13), and 4 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point. Tie-break: When there is a need for a tie break where two different addresses are the same distance from a school... the lower door number will be deemed nearest... If there are two identical addresses of separate applicants, the tie break will be random. Every child entered onto the HCC admissions database has an individual random number assigned, between 1 and 1 million, against each preference school. When there is a need for a final tie break the random number is used to allocate the place, with the lowest number given priority. This process will be independently verified.
What is the largest ethnic background at Ridgeway Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 75.2% of pupils at Ridgeway Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

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Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

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On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

Barracudas – Welwyn Ridgeway

Wraparound club

Met

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

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Nearby schools within 5 km

How far did offers reach?

7.11miles

was the furthest place offered for 2026-27 (Year 7). The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.

Last distance offered at Ridgeway Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Ridgeway Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Children looked after / previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted or became subject to a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order.
2Medical — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a compelling medical reason for attending the school. A School Admissions panel will determine whether the evidence provided is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this rule.
3Sibling — Children who have a sibling at the school at the time of application, unless the sibling is in the last year of the normal age-range of the school (ie Year 13).
4Children of staff — Children of staff, provided the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, or is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
5Priority area nearest school — Children living in the priority area for whom it is their nearest Hertfordshire maintained school or academy that is non-faith, co-educational and non-partially selective.
6Priority area distance — Children living in the priority area who live nearest to the school.
7Outside priority area distance — Children living outside the priority area on the basis of distance, with those living nearest to the school given priority.

Ridgeway Academy: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Ridgeway Academy's quality of education to be?: Ofsted judged Ridgeway Academy's quality of education as Good at its inspection in June 2025, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Ridgeway Academy?: Ridgeway Academy has 875 pupils on roll.
What ages does Ridgeway Academy take?: Ridgeway Academy admits pupils aged 11 to 18.
Where is Ridgeway Academy located?: Ridgeway Academy is located in Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2AF, Hertfordshire.
How do I apply to Ridgeway Academy?: Ridgeway Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How far from Ridgeway Academy were places offered?: The furthest place offered at Ridgeway Academy for 2026-27 (Year 7) was 7.11 miles from the school. The council's figures don't show whether anyone was refused, so it may not have been a cut-off.
How are Year 7 places decided at Ridgeway Academy?: When Ridgeway Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Children looked after / previously looked after — Children looked after and children who were previously looked after, including those who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted or became subject to a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order; 2. Medical — Children for whom it can be demonstrated that they have a compelling medical reason for attending the school. A School Admissions panel will determine whether the evidence provided is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this rule; 3. Sibling — Children who have a sibling at the school at the time of application, unless the sibling is in the last year of the normal age-range of the school (ie Year 13), and 4 further criteria. The school offers 180 places at this entry point. Tie-break: When there is a need for a tie break where two different addresses are the same distance from a school... the lower door number will be deemed nearest... If there are two identical addresses of separate applicants, the tie break will be random. Every child entered onto the HCC admissions database has an individual random number assigned, between 1 and 1 million, against each preference school. When there is a need for a final tie break the random number is used to allocate the place, with the lowest number given priority. This process will be independently verified.
What is the largest ethnic background at Ridgeway Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 75.2% of pupils at Ridgeway Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

Barracudas – Welwyn Ridgeway

Wraparound club

Met

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Ridgeway Academy

How far did offers reach?

How places are decided at Ridgeway Academy

Ridgeway Academy: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Ridgeway Academy

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km

How far did offers reach?

How places are decided at Ridgeway Academy

Ridgeway Academy: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km