What did School Atlas judge Waterside Academy's summary of 6 ofsted judgements to be?

School Atlas judged Waterside Academy's summary of 6 ofsted judgements as Strong standard at its inspection in February 2026, on School Atlas's own scale.

How many pupils attend Waterside Academy?

Waterside Academy has 166 pupils on roll.

What ages does Waterside Academy take?

Waterside Academy admits pupils aged 3 to 11.

Where is Waterside Academy located?

Waterside Academy is located in Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1NZ, Hertfordshire.

How do I apply to Waterside Academy?

Waterside 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 primary places is 15 January.

How close do you need to live to get into Waterside Academy?

Distance did not decide places at Waterside Academy for 2026-27 (Reception): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

How are Reception places decided at Waterside Academy?

When Waterside Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children and previously looked after children — Looked after children and previously looked after children, 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 or Social — Children who the Academy Governing Board accepts have an exceptional medical or social need for a place at the school with those living nearer receiving higher priority. Applications under Priority 2 will be considered by the Academy Governing Body who will determine whether the evidence is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this priority. The evidence must relate specifically to the Academy applied for under priority 2 and must clearly demonstrate why it is the only school that can meet the child's needs; 3. Sibling — Children with a brother or sister already attending the school and who will still be attending on the date of admission with those living nearer receiving higher priority, and 2 further criteria. The school offers 30 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Where two applications cannot otherwise be separated because the distance between the child's home address (as defined by this policy) to the Academy is the same, 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, a random number is used to allocate the place, with the lowest number given priority.

What is the largest ethnic background at Waterside Academy?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 50.6% of pupils at Waterside Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Waterside Academy: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

School AtlasHertfordshire

Hertfordshire

School AtlasHertfordshire

Hertfordshire

How close did you need to live?

Distance did not decide places here

Every applicant who applied on time was offered a place for 2026-27 (Reception), so there was no cut-off distance. This changes from year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.

Last distance offered at Waterside Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Waterside Academy

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

1Looked after children and previously looked after children — Looked after children and previously looked after children, 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 or Social — Children who the Academy Governing Board accepts have an exceptional medical or social need for a place at the school with those living nearer receiving higher priority. Applications under Priority 2 will be considered by the Academy Governing Body who will determine whether the evidence is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this priority. The evidence must relate specifically to the Academy applied for under priority 2 and must clearly demonstrate why it is the only school that can meet the child's needs.
3Sibling — Children with a brother or sister already attending the school and who will still be attending on the date of admission with those living nearer receiving higher priority.
4Children of Staff — Children of staff where: a. 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; and / or b. where the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable shortage with those living nearer receiving higher priority.
5All Other Children — Children not falling into any of the above categories will be allocated places in this category by reference to the proximity of the child's home address (as defined by this policy) to the Academy, with those living nearer receiving higher priority.

If two applications tie: Where two applications cannot otherwise be separated because the distance between the child's home address (as defined by this policy) to the Academy is the same, 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, a random number is used to allocate the place, with the lowest number given priority.

Document also references admission of children with an EHCP naming the Academy as being admitted first by law (not numbered as part of the oversubscription criteria). Waterside Academy participates in Hertfordshire County Council's co-ordinated admissions process for Reception. Closing date for applications: Friday 15th January 2027; National Allocation Day: Friday 16th April 2027.

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.

Waterside Academy: key facts

What did School Atlas judge Waterside Academy's summary of 6 ofsted judgements to be?: School Atlas judged Waterside Academy's summary of 6 ofsted judgements as Strong standard at its inspection in February 2026, on School Atlas's own scale.
How many pupils attend Waterside Academy?: Waterside Academy has 166 pupils on roll.
What ages does Waterside Academy take?: Waterside Academy admits pupils aged 3 to 11.
Where is Waterside Academy located?: Waterside Academy is located in Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1NZ, Hertfordshire.
How do I apply to Waterside Academy?: Waterside 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 primary places is 15 January.
How close do you need to live to get into Waterside Academy?: Distance did not decide places at Waterside Academy for 2026-27 (Reception): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.
How are Reception places decided at Waterside Academy?: When Waterside Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children and previously looked after children — Looked after children and previously looked after children, 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 or Social — Children who the Academy Governing Board accepts have an exceptional medical or social need for a place at the school with those living nearer receiving higher priority. Applications under Priority 2 will be considered by the Academy Governing Body who will determine whether the evidence is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this priority. The evidence must relate specifically to the Academy applied for under priority 2 and must clearly demonstrate why it is the only school that can meet the child's needs; 3. Sibling — Children with a brother or sister already attending the school and who will still be attending on the date of admission with those living nearer receiving higher priority, and 2 further criteria. The school offers 30 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Where two applications cannot otherwise be separated because the distance between the child's home address (as defined by this policy) to the Academy is the same, 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, a random number is used to allocate the place, with the lowest number given priority.
What is the largest ethnic background at Waterside Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 50.6% of pupils at Waterside Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

League tables in Hertfordshire Compare Hertfordshire schools Best primary schools in Hertfordshire Hertfordshire hub All Hertfordshire schools Schools on map Admissions checker Catchment areas guide What to ask on a visit

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

Explore nearby

See every school within walking distance, ranked by distance and inspection grade.

Schools near Welwyn North station

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

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

Complete Sports Ltd - Waterside Academy

Wraparound club

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.

Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

Distance did not decide places here

Last distance offered at Waterside Academy, year by year →

How places are decided at Waterside Academy

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

1Looked after children and previously looked after children — Looked after children and previously looked after children, 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 or Social — Children who the Academy Governing Board accepts have an exceptional medical or social need for a place at the school with those living nearer receiving higher priority. Applications under Priority 2 will be considered by the Academy Governing Body who will determine whether the evidence is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this priority. The evidence must relate specifically to the Academy applied for under priority 2 and must clearly demonstrate why it is the only school that can meet the child's needs.
3Sibling — Children with a brother or sister already attending the school and who will still be attending on the date of admission with those living nearer receiving higher priority.
4Children of Staff — Children of staff where: a. 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; and / or b. where the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable shortage with those living nearer receiving higher priority.
5All Other Children — Children not falling into any of the above categories will be allocated places in this category by reference to the proximity of the child's home address (as defined by this policy) to the Academy, with those living nearer receiving higher priority.

Waterside Academy: key facts

What did School Atlas judge Waterside Academy's summary of 6 ofsted judgements to be?: School Atlas judged Waterside Academy's summary of 6 ofsted judgements as Strong standard at its inspection in February 2026, on School Atlas's own scale.
How many pupils attend Waterside Academy?: Waterside Academy has 166 pupils on roll.
What ages does Waterside Academy take?: Waterside Academy admits pupils aged 3 to 11.
Where is Waterside Academy located?: Waterside Academy is located in Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1NZ, Hertfordshire.
How do I apply to Waterside Academy?: Waterside 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 primary places is 15 January.
How close do you need to live to get into Waterside Academy?: Distance did not decide places at Waterside Academy for 2026-27 (Reception): every applicant who applied on time was offered a place, so there was no cut-off distance. This changes year to year; check the current year's figures before relying on it.
How are Reception places decided at Waterside Academy?: When Waterside Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children and previously looked after children — Looked after children and previously looked after children, 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 or Social — Children who the Academy Governing Board accepts have an exceptional medical or social need for a place at the school with those living nearer receiving higher priority. Applications under Priority 2 will be considered by the Academy Governing Body who will determine whether the evidence is sufficiently compelling to meet the requirements for this priority. The evidence must relate specifically to the Academy applied for under priority 2 and must clearly demonstrate why it is the only school that can meet the child's needs; 3. Sibling — Children with a brother or sister already attending the school and who will still be attending on the date of admission with those living nearer receiving higher priority, and 2 further criteria. The school offers 30 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Where two applications cannot otherwise be separated because the distance between the child's home address (as defined by this policy) to the Academy is the same, 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, a random number is used to allocate the place, with the lowest number given priority.
What is the largest ethnic background at Waterside Academy?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 50.6% of pupils at Waterside 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.

Explore nearby

See every school within walking distance, ranked by distance and inspection grade.

Schools near Welwyn North station

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

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

Complete Sports Ltd - Waterside Academy

Wraparound club

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.

Waterside Academy

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Waterside Academy

Waterside Academy: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Explore nearby

Waterside Academy

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Waterside Academy

Waterside Academy: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Explore nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Nearby schools within 5 km