Laureate Academy
About Laureate Academy
Laureate Academy sits in Dacorum, Hertfordshire, as one of nine secondary schools in the borough, where it ranks sixth by Progress 8 score. Across the wider Hertfordshire local authority, it places 59th out of 86 same-type schools, placing it firmly in the bottom half of the county. The top-performing peers in the LA — Sandringham School, Yavneh College, and Dame Alice Owen's School — all post Progress 8 scores above 0. 9, a stark contrast to Laureate's own score of -0. 22. That said, the school has made a notable turnaround since its last Ofsted inspection. In 2017 it was rated Inadequate overall, with leadership and management also marked Inadequate. By its most recent graded inspection in June 2023, it had climbed to Good across every category: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision. For a school that serves a community where 36. 7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals — well above the national average — this represents a significant shift in direction under headteacher Ruthie Jacobs.
Key Details
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 EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
20 Jun 2023Source: Ofsted, 13 Sept 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Laureate Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications