Classpot

Sir John Lawes School

St Albans, AL5 4QPSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
Mar 2023
Progress 8
No data
First choices / offers
1.4×
More first choices than offers made
259 1st-choice / 187 offers made
Ranking
🏆Top 10%
#197 of 3,141 nationally

About Sir John Lawes School

Sir John Lawes School is a state-funded secondary school in St Albans, East of England, for pupils aged 11 to 18 for boys and girls. DfE data records 1,373 pupils on roll and a published capacity of 1,200.

The latest recorded Ofsted overall judgement is Outstanding (28 Mar 2023). the published Attainment 8 score was 62.8 for 2024/25. the published A-level average grade was B for 2023/24. admissions data records 259 first-preference applications and 187 offers made on national offer day for 2026/27.

Figures can refer to different reporting periods. Check the date and source shown beside each section. How Classpot uses school data.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
AddressManland Way, Harpenden, St Albans, AL5 4QP
HeadteacherMr Philip Newbery
Local AuthorityHertfordshire
Number of Pupils1,373
Free School Meals (FSM)8.4%
School Capacity1,373 / 1,200 (114% 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

28 Mar 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Sixth Form Provision
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 22 May 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Published SEND Data

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education. Confirm current provision with the school's SENCO.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:40 – 15:30

Source: sjl.herts.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sir John Lawes School

Sir John Lawes School has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This is the overall judgement recorded under the inspection framework in use on the inspection date. Read the report and date before comparing it with newer inspections.