Waldegrave School

Waldegrave School demonstrates ongoing effectiveness in maintaining the high standards set during its previous inspection in 2018. The headteacher, Elizabeth Tongue, along with a committed staff, cultivates a strong academic and personal development environment for students. The school's commitment to inclusivity is evident, as evidenced by the progress made by all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The exceptional quality of teaching across the curriculum allows for students' strong progress, while the robust personal development program further enhances their learning experience.

Strengths

• High expectations for all pupils and consistently high outcomes
• Strong emphasis on personal development alongside academic excellence
• Dedicated staff who create a positive and respectful learning environment
• Exceptional quality of teaching, particularly in the sixth form
• Effective support and interventions for students with SEND
• Strong focus on mental health and pupil well-being
• High attendance and punctuality among students

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Waldegrave School attended 93.3% of sessions (the national figure for secondary schools was 91.6%). 15.9% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 23.4%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.3% of pupils at Waldegrave School were suspended at least once (nationally 7.3%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Waldegrave School had 19.0 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for secondary schools was 16.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 8.0% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.1%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 14.4% of pupils at Waldegrave School were on SEN support (nationally 14.1%) and 3.1% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 3.5%).

The school has resourced provision with 8 pupils.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded secondary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2024–25 Waldegrave School received £7,639 and spent £7,455 for each of its 1,467 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £3,154,000 (£2,150 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24). Academy figures include a share of the trust's central services, shared out by pupil numbers, and are rounded to the nearest £1,000. Premises costs were defined differently from 2024, so compare them across that gap with care.

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Richmond Upon Thames · Richmond upon Thames local authority: places and applications

What is Waldegrave School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Waldegrave School is Outstanding, from an inspection in November 2024.

When was Waldegrave School last inspected by Ofsted?

Waldegrave School was last inspected in November 2024.

How many pupils does Waldegrave School have?

Waldegrave School has 1,470 pupils on roll.

What age range does Waldegrave School cover?

Waldegrave School for pupils aged 11 to 18.

What are Waldegrave School's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 64.5, and 76% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Waldegrave School?

Waldegrave School is at Fifth Cross Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5LH.