Located in Welwyn Garden City, Waterside Academy is a primary school, serving pupils aged 3 to 11. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.

Waterside Academy currently has around 177 pupils on roll, which is about 84% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 52.5% boys and 47.5% girls. Around 46.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 5.3%. Persistent absence is recorded at 17.3%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (53.7%). unclassified pupils make up about 13%

At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

School Information

Address: Rowans, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1NZ
Website: http://www.waterside.herts.sch.uk
Telephone: 01707321203
School Type: Academy converter
Education phase: Primary
Local authority: Hertfordshire
Headteacher / Principal: Mr Kevin Peart
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Not applicable
Unique reference: 145257

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Overall effectiveness
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 15/06/2022

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 3 - 11
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 210
Number of Pupils: 177
Number of Boys: 93
Number of Girls: 84

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 5.3% 4%
Persistent absence: 17.3% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British53.70%95
Unclassified13.00%23
Other Mixed9.60%17
Other White6.20%11
African2.80%5
Indian2.30%4
Other (any other ethnic group)2.30%4
White and Black Caribbean2.30%4
White and Asian2.30%4
Other Asian2.30%4
White and Black African1.70%3
Other Black1.10%2
Chinese0.60%1
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Caribbean0.00%0
Bangladeshi0.00%0
Irish0.00%0
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Pakistani0.00%0

Education - Primary

Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.

Reading: Well Above Average (5.5)
Writing: Average (0.9)
Maths: Well Above Average (4.2)
Pupils meeting expected standard in reading, writing and maths
School
71%
Town average
59%
Local authority average
60%
England average
61%
Pupils achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing and maths
School
12%
Town average
9%
Local authority average
9%
England average
8%
Average score in reading
School
109.0
Town average
105.6
Local authority average
105.7
England average
105.1
Average score in maths
School
106.0
Town average
103.4
Local authority average
104.2
England average
104.3

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Ludwick Nursery School
Holwell Road , AL7 3RP
4out of 4 2,434 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School
Tenterfield Nursery School
London Road , AL6 9JF
4out of 4 2,935 yd Local authority nursery school Yes Mixed More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Rowans Primary School
Rowans , AL7 1NZ
- not rated 0 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Waterside Academy
Rowans , AL7 1NZ
3out of 4 0 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
The Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Crookhams , AL7 1PG
3out of 4 70 yd Academy converter Yes Mixed More About School
The Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Crookhams , AL7 1PG
- not rated 70 yd Voluntary aided school Yes Mixed More About School
St John's CofE Primary School
Hertford Road , Digswell AL6 0BX
3out of 4 885 yd Voluntary aided school Yes Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Ridgeway Academy
Herns Lane , AL7 2AF
- not rated 1,267 yd Academy sponsor led No Mixed More About School
Sir Frederic Osborn School
Herns Lane , AL7 2AF
- not rated 1,267 yd Foundation school No Mixed More About School
Monk's Walk School
Knightsfield , AL8 7NL
- not rated 2,355 yd Foundation school No Mixed More About School
Monk's Walk School
Knightsfield , AL8 7NL
3out of 4 2,355 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
Sir John Newsom School
Oaken Grove , AL7 4TP
- not rated 3,198 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Knightsfield School
Knightsfield , AL8 7LW
4out of 4 2,306 yd Academy special converter Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Knightsfield School
Knightsfield , AL8 7LW
- not rated 2,306 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
The Hyde School
Holwell Hyde , Cole Green Lane AL7 3DH
- not rated 2,524 yd Community special school Not Applicable Mixed More About School
Sherrardswood School
Lockleys , AL6 0BJ
- not rated 2,652 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.