Townsend Church of England School
89%
Capacity
756
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About Townsend Church of England School
Townsend Church of England School is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the St Albans community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 756 pupils on roll and is well-filled (89% of 853 places).
Ofsted has rated Townsend Church of England School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Anthony Flack, it falls under Hertfordshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.14 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 48.2. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1219th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 11th out of 12 in St Albans.
Townsend Church of England School is a popular choice with families — it received 263 applications for 173 places, making it 1.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 58 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Townsend Church of England School include Swimming Pool, Sports Hall, Science Labs, Art Studios, Astro Turf, Sixth Form Centre, ICT Suite, Playing Fields, Library, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Martial Arts and 4 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Art Club, Film Club, Debate and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 24.4%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in St Albans, Townsend Church of England School is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | High Oaks, St Albans, St Albans, AL3 6DR |
| Headteacher | Anthony Flack |
| Local Authority | Hertfordshire |
| Number of Pupils | 756 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 24.4% |
| School Capacity | 756 / 853 (89% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Jan 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (24 Jan 2024): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 19 Jan 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.14)
1219th of 3,141
Nationally
132nd of 350
In East of England
11th of 12
In St Albans
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
31.5
'22/23
25.2
'23/24
33.6
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed173
263
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
58 families put this school as their 1st choice (22% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Townsend Church of England School
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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
High Oaks, St Albans
St Albans, AL3 6DR
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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