Classpot

Ashlyns School

Dacorum, HP4 3AHSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Sep 2023
Progress 8
+0.36
Above average
−20+2
Competition
1.1×
Oversubscribed
269 1st-choice / 235 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#732 of 3,141 nationally

About Ashlyns School

Ashlyns School is a large mixed secondary in Dacorum, Hertfordshire, currently home to 1,535 pupils against a capacity of 1,557, meaning it is running very close to full. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 11. 4%, which is slightly below the national average for secondary schools and suggests a broadly middle-income intake. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 599 applications for 235 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2. 55. Of those, 210 offers went to first-preference applicants, out of 269 who put the school as their top choice. That level of competition signals a school that local families are actively seeking out, and it is ranked first among nine secondary schools in the Dacorum local authority area by Progress 8 score. The headteacher is James Shapland, and the school has no religious character, serving a mixed community across the 11–18 age range.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressChesham Road, Berkhamsted, Dacorum, HP4 3AH
HeadteacherJames Shapland
Local AuthorityHertfordshire
Number of Pupils1,535
Free School Meals (FSM)11.4%
School Capacity1,535 / 1,557 (99% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

26 Sept 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 15 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ashlyns School

Ashlyns School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.