Queens' School

About Queens' School

Queens' School is a large secondary in Bushey, Hertsmere, with 1,660 pupils on roll — more than double its stated capacity of 716, which gives you a clear sense of just how oversubscribed it is. That kind of demand is typical for a school that draws from a wide area and offers both a sixth form and boarding provision, though the data doesn't break down how many boarders there are. The school is non-denominational and mixed, with a headteacher, Jonathan Morrell, who has been in post long enough to have steered it through its most recent Ofsted inspection. While the data doesn't include free school meal percentages, the school's size and popularity suggest it serves a broad cross-section of families, and the fact that it's a state school with boarding makes it relatively unusual in Hertfordshire. If you're looking at schools in this part of the East of England, the sheer number of applications versus places is the first thing to note.

Academically, Queens' School performs well above the national average. At GCSE, its Attainment 8 score is 60, and 89.1% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths — the basics measure. That's a strong result, especially when you consider that the school doesn't publish a Progress 8 score, so we can't directly compare pupil progress to the local authority average of 0.18. The EBacc entry rate is relatively low at 10.9%, which suggests the school doesn't push all pupils toward the full suite of academic subjects, but those who do take it achieve well, with an average point score of 4.65. At A-level, the school's value-added score is 0.04, placing it in the 'Average' progress banding, and the average points per entry is 37.19, equivalent to a B- grade. Just under a fifth of entries achieved AAB or higher, which is respectable for a state school without a selective intake.

The school's facilities are extensive: there are art studios, a theatre, a sports hall, astro turf, playing fields, a gym, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a library, and science labs, plus a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports offered include swimming, netball, hockey, cricket, and athletics, and there's a good range of clubs from coding and chess to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Model UN. The school has a nursery provision, which is unusual for a secondary, and boarding is available, though the data doesn't specify how many boarders or what the boarding fees are. For families in Hertsmere or nearby, Queens' School is a strong, non-selective option with a genuinely broad offer, but the oversubscription means you'll need to be within catchment or have a compelling reason to secure a place. It's particularly well-suited to families who want a large, well-resourced school with both academic strength and a wide extracurricular programme, and who are prepared for the competitive admissions process.

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