Townsend Church of England School
Secondary · Voluntary aided school · Ages 11–18 · St Albans, Hertfordshire
Townsend Church of England School is a secondary school in St Albans, Hertfordshire for ages 11–18 (voluntary aided school). Its latest Ofsted outcome is School remains Good, from the inspection on 24 January 2024. Hertfordshire has published a last distance offered for this school for Year 7 2015 to 2026 entry.
Open on the map Unlock with a pass · £9.99
Key facts
- Address
- High Oaks, St Albans, AL3 6DR
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Sector
- See recorded establishment type
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Council
- Hertfordshire
- Pupils on roll
- 746 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- 24.4% of pupils eligible
- Pupils per teacher
- 13.4
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
School remains Good Inspected 24 January 2024
Strengths
- “At Townsend, such difficulties are uncommon.”
- “All are made to feel safe, welcomed and valued.”
- “This makes most pupils happy to be at school and able to build good friendships.”
To improve
- “While misbehaviour from a small number sometimes frustrates other pupils, it is dealt with fairly.”
- “Lessons are orderly, although pupils sometimes do not have opportunities to practise and apply their skills and knowledge.”
- “Although they are expected to complete work and pass their examinations, pupils do not always think as deeply as they might.”
Safeguarding: Effective
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 7 March 2024 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Exam results
| Measure | School | England |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE English and maths, grade 5 or above (2024/25) | 40% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 score (2024/25) | 46.7 | 46 |
| A level average grade (2024/25) | C- | B- |
Department for Education school performance data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Applications and offers
- 2026 Year 7 entry: 80 first-preference applications, 168 offers in total, 80 offers to first-preference applicants.
Department for Education, school-level applications and offers, figures on national offer day. Earlier years are in the pass.
Last distance offered and catchment
A one-off £9.99 pass, no subscription, unlocks for 3 months:
- Last distance offered for Year 7 2015 to 2026, as Hertfordshire published it, drawn on the map
- Earlier years of applications and offers
- Earlier years of exam results
- Where pupils go after they leave
- Crime, sold prices, broadband and transport around the school
A last distance offered describes one past year and is not a catchment or a promise of a place. Check with the council before you apply.
Nearby secondary schools
Straight-line distance, in Hertfordshire.
- St Albans Girls' School 0.5 mi Not judged Last distance published
- Sandringham School 1.5 mi Outstanding Last distance published
- Loreto College 1.6 mi Not judged Last distance published
- Verulam School 1.7 mi School remains Good Last distance published
- Beaumont School 2.3 mi Not judged Last distance published
- The Marlborough Science Academy 2.5 mi Good Last distance published
- Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School 2.9 mi Outstanding Last distance published
- Sir John Lawes School 3.4 mi Outstanding Last distance published