Watford Grammar School for Boys
School summary
Tracing its origins to 1704, Watford Grammar School for Boys is a long-established Church of England state grammar that selects through 11+ entry. With around 1,597 boys on roll, including a sizeable sixth form of 470, it ranks among the larger schools of its kind. Every aspect of its 2021 Ofsted inspection was judged Outstanding, from quality of education and behaviour through to leadership and the sixth form. A pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 17 sits comfortably for a school of this scale.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
60%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
36%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
66%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 13 October 2021
Teaching & academics
Results reflect a confidently selective intake: 60% of GCSE entries reached grades 9-7, and at A-level 36% achieved A*-A with two-thirds at A*-B. The sciences and mathematics feature strongly at both GCSE and sixth form, where Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics and the three sciences are among the most popular choices alongside humanities such as History and Geography. An EPQ option allows older pupils to pursue independent research, and three modern languages are taught from the lower school upwards.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Headteacher · Mr I Cooksey
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 470
- Sixth-form Ofsted
- Outstanding
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport centres on rugby, hockey and cricket, the traditional fixtures of a school with this heritage. Beyond the core subjects, the curriculum reaches into Classical Civilisation, Music, Art and Design and Film Studies, giving boys room to develop interests outside the academic mainstream.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1704
- Religious character
- C of E
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 6.77%
- EHC plans
- 3.73%
Mobile phone policy
Pupils (years 7-11) are not allowed to use personal mobile phones in school. Mobile phones must be kept turned off and out of sight at all times whilst students are on the school site. For the purposes of this policy, 'mobile phones' includes smart watches. Students in years 12 and 13 are allowed to use mobile phones in the sixth form café area and the terrace outside the sixth form centre. Phones must be out of sight in the sixth form study areas but may be used to listen to music/podcasts through headphones/Airpods in these areas.
Schools nearby
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A historic, fully selective boys' grammar with straight Outstanding ratings and strong science and maths credentials. Families seeking a rigorous, traditional state education will find much to weigh here.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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Watford Grammar School for Boys 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.