Ridgeway Academy is a secondary school in Welwyn Garden City, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy sponsor led and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Ridgeway Academy currently has around 929 pupils on roll, which is about 76% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 52.5% boys and 47.5% girls. Around 31.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 13.7%. Persistent absence is recorded at 34.1%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (75.3%).
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
| Address: | Herns Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 2AF |
| Website: | https://ridgeway.herts.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01707351350 |
| School Type: | Academy sponsor led |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Hertfordshire |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mrs Sarah Mitcherson |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 146305 |
Ofsted inspection date: 03/06/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1220 |
| Number of Pupils: | 929 |
| Number of Boys: | 488 |
| Number of Girls: | 441 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 13.7% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 34.1% | 8.2% |
| White British | 75.30% | 700 |
| Other White | 7.00% | 65 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 3.80% | 35 |
| African | 3.40% | 32 |
| White and Black African | 2.20% | 20 |
| White and Asian | 1.90% | 18 |
| Other Mixed | 1.70% | 16 |
| Other Asian | 1.00% | 9 |
| Indian | 1.00% | 9 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.50% | 5 |
| Pakistani | 0.50% | 5 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.40% | 4 |
| Caribbean | 0.40% | 4 |
| Chinese | 0.20% | 2 |
| Other Black | 0.20% | 2 |
| Irish | 0.10% | 1 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.10% | 1 |
| Unclassified | 0.10% | 1 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ludwick Nursery School Holwell Road , AL7 3RP | 4out of 4 | 1,588 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panshanger Primary School Daniells , AL7 1QY | 3out of 4 | 254 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Watchlytes Primary School Watchlytes , AL7 2AZ | - not rated | 597 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Watchlytes Primary School Watchlytes , AL7 2AZ | 1out of 4 | 597 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Springmead Primary School Hillyfields , AL7 2HB | 3out of 4 | 733 yd | Academy sponsor led | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Springmead Primary School Hillyfields , AL7 2HB | - not rated | 733 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeway Academy Herns Lane , AL7 2AF | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Sir Frederic Osborn School Herns Lane , AL7 2AF | - not rated | 0 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Sir John Newsom School Oaken Grove , AL7 4TP | - not rated | 2,289 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Monk's Walk School Knightsfield , AL8 7NL | - not rated | 3,240 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Monk's Walk School Knightsfield , AL8 7NL | 3out of 4 | 3,240 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hyde School Holwell Hyde , Cole Green Lane AL7 3DH | - not rated | 1,266 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| James Marks Academy The Commons , AL7 4RZ | - not rated | 2,262 yd | Free schools special | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.