The Reach Free School

A good free schools school in Hertfordshire. Explore Ofsted ratings, admissions information, and performance data for The Reach Free School.

Rickmansworth, WD38AB Ofsted: Good Age 11-18 Mixed intake
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Performance Score

Overall school rating

45

/ 100

Secondary with Sixth Form weighted harmonic mean of 5 indicators

Indicators used for Secondary with Sixth Form schools

Progress 8 score
53.9
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: -0.02
English & Maths grade 4+ %
56.6
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 64.1%
Continue in education or training
79.2
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 84.0%
Sustained employment
20.7
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 6.0%
Ofsted inspection outcome
75.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: Good

How we weight each phase

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Primary schools

  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 40.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Secondary schools

  • Progress 8 score 40.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

All-through schools

  • Progress 8 score 25.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 15.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Secondary with Sixth Form schools

  • Progress 8 score 20.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • Continue in education or training 20.0%
  • Sustained employment 20.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Sixth Form Only schools

  • Continue in education or training 40.0%
  • Sustained employment 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Special schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Alternative Provision schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Independent schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Ofsted Inspection

Official inspection outcomes

Good
Overall effectiveness
Good
Last inspected
27 February 2019
Previous grade
Good
Quality of education
9
Behaviour & attitudes
9
Personal development
9
Leadership & management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Effective

Source: Ofsted inspection outcomes. Grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate.

Contact Information

How to reach this school

Source: GIAS
Address
Long Lane
Rickmansworth, WD38AB
Phone
1923711517
Website
reachfreeschool.co.uk/

Location

Find the school on the map

Source: Geocoding
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School Information

Basic details and characteristics

Source: GIAS
URN
139662
Type
Free schools
Phase
Secondary with Sixth Form
Address
Long Lane, Rickmansworth, WD3 8AB
Website
http://www.reachfreeschool.co.uk/
Age range
11-18
Gender
Mixed
School status
Open
Trust/MAT
REACH LEARNING LIMITED
Capacity
840 pupils
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Sixth Form
Yes
Nursery
No

School Performance Data

Official government statistics

Source: DfE

School Demographics

Total Pupils
755
Free School Meals
19.9% (150 pupils)
Special Educational Needs
4.2% (32 pupils)

Daily Attendance

Attendance Rate
91.5%
Good
Persistent Absence
25.5%
Missing 10%+ of school days

Real Success Rates

What happens to students after they leave this school

Continue Education
84.0%
University, college, or sixth form
Enter Employment
6.0%
Full or part-time jobs
Start Apprenticeships
4.0%
Learning while earning
Not in Education or Work
4.0%
NEET - needs support

Sixth Form University Progression

Where sixth form students go after graduation

University Progression
82%
Quality: Exceptional
Sixth Form Size
49 students
Per cohort
Apprenticeships
4.0%

Key Performance Indicators

Education Continuation:
84.0 (+27.9 vs average)
EBacc Entry:
38.5 (+19.1 vs average)
English & Maths Grade 5+:
64.1 (+12.1 vs average)
Attainment 8:
46.6 (+7.1 vs average)

Calculated Fields

Derived insights and analysis

Source: Calculated

Class Size Information

Average Class Size
47 pupils
Large Classes
Pupils per Year Group
94
Average across all year groups
Total School Size
755 pupils
11-18

Subjects This School Excels At

Subjects where students perform significantly above national average

Computer Studies/Computing (GCE A level)
★★★★★
(9 students)
Sports Studies (OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate at Level 3)
★★★★★
(7 students)
Sociology (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(11 students)
History (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(7 students)
Nutrition / Diet (VRQ Level 3)
★★★ ★★
(6 students)

Strong performance in 5 subjects

From the School Website

Information extracted from the school's own website

Source: School Website

Ethos & Values

Achievement Community Enjoyment

Head Teacher's Message

The Headteacher describes The Reach Free School as a happy, supportive community guided by the ACE ethos (Achievement, Community, Enjoyment). He emphasizes high-quality teaching, modern facilities, and a personalised, non-selective approach that welcomes all families. He invites prospective parents to view newsletters and contact the school for more information, highlighting the school’s commitment to pupil development and community engagement.

Facilities

Four-court Sports Hall Main hall with tiered seating for 182 Fully mirrored Dance Studio 30m x 60m Multi Use Games Area Playing fields for football and rugby in winter, rounders and cricket in summer Brand new classrooms fully equipped with interactive boards Snug Area with seating for 20 Dining area able to seat 360

Curriculum Highlights

Key Stage 3: Years 7 and 8 focus on English, Mathematics, Science, History/Geography, Spanish, and Physical Education, with a broad curriculum including Enterprise IT, Food and Nutrition, Computing, Art, Drama and Music. Reach Beyond: a daily set of activities including STEM, Community Common Room, Reading Weeks, Targeted Academic Support (TASP) and Reach Out. Electives run from 2.20pm to 3.10pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, enabling participation in sports, Reach Council meetings, Glee Club, Insanity Workouts, etc. Year 9 Curriculum: a Year 9 'taster' allowing students to sample GCSE and vocational options before choosing Key Stage 4 subjects in Year 9/10. Key Stage 4: a mix of GCSE and vocational qualifications with core subjects English, Mathematics, Science, History or Geography, Spanish, plus options like Art & Design, Citizenship, Physical Education, Religious Education, Triple Science, Business, Food & Nutrition and Computer Science. Music Development Plan and Reach Out programme (career and personal development) are included as part of the curriculum. The school emphasizes reading development through a Reach Reading List and dedicated academic reading time. There is also an ACE ethos (Achievement, Community, Enjoyment) embedded across the curriculum and school activities.

SEND Provision

The Reach Free School provides SEN provision and information through an SEN Information Report. Pupils with special educational needs have a Pupil Profile, and some pupils access 'Targeted Support' with defined outcomes. The school differentiates the curriculum to ensure accessibility and makes reasonable adjustments where needed. pastoral support is provided via the House System, and DSPL (local SEND provision) information is linked on site.

Admissions Criteria

The Reach Free School is described as non-selective with no admission tests or aptitude requirements. Hertfordshire coordinates secondary transfer admissions for primary-to-secondary transfers. In-year admissions are coordinated by the school. Applications can be made via the school's site or by calling the school.

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