Samuel Ryder Academy

Samuel Ryder Academy at a glance

Located in St Albans, Hertfordshire, Samuel Ryder Academy is an all-through school, classified by the DfE as a sponsor-led academy. The school educates roughly 1,577 pupils aged 4 to 19. Ofsted judged the school to be 'Good' at its most recent inspection. In the most recent Key Stage 2 SATs, 80% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined — well above the national average of 61%. That marks an improvement of 7.0 percentage points in the proportion reaching the expected standard on the previous year. At GCSE, the school's average Attainment 8 score was 56.5, well above the national average of 46. On our composite score, Samuel Ryder Academy ranks among the top 8% of primary schools in England for its primary (KS2) results. For its secondary (KS4) results, it ranks among the top 12% of secondary schools in England.

Pupils achieved an average scaled score of 110 in reading and 110 in maths (national averages are about 105 and 104). 20% reached the higher standard across all three subjects (around 8% do so nationally). At Key Stage 4, 70% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in both English and maths, well above the national average of about 45%. Competition for places is real here - 87% of first-choice applicants were offered a Reception place for September 2026 (63 first choices for 60 places). The council's own allocation figures show the last child offered a place for 2026 lived 2.89 miles away in a straight line — that distance is not a fixed catchment and moves each year. Overall pupil absence was 5.6%. There are about 18.2 pupils per teacher. When comparing schools, it is still worth visiting in person to see whether the atmosphere and approach suit your child. This overview is generated automatically from the latest published DfE performance tables and Ofsted data; figures are rounded, and you can check the originals via the official links above.