Schools by area › Hertfordshire › The Astley Cooper School
The Astley Cooper School
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–18 · Foundation school
St Agnell's Lane, Hemel Hempstead HP2 7HL · astleycooper.herts.sch.uk · 01442 394141
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Apr 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 34.7
- average Attainment 8 score. Hertfordshire 50.6, England 46
- Last distance offered
- 1.11 mi
- 1.78 km · Year 7, September 2026 entry · In Priority Area, Not Nearest School · Hertfordshire Council
- Demand for places
- 0.9
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 914
- 87% of 1,055 places
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 34.3%
- First language not English
- 17.6%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, the last place offered under “In Priority Area, Not Nearest School” went to a home 1.11 mi (1.78 km) from the school. Source: Hertfordshire Council’s document.
For Year 7 in September 2026, 161 families put the school first and 175 places were offered; 96% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
Demand for places
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 175 | 161 | 0.9 | 96% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 165 | 123 | 0.7 | 100% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 182 | 141 | 0.8 | 100% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 177 | 160 | 0.9 | 96% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 172 | 142 | 0.8 | 99% |
Last distance offered
| Year 7 | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 1.11 mi1.78 km | |
| September 2023 | 1.77 mi2.86 km | |
| September 2022 | 2.55 mi4.10 km | |
| September 2025 | 10.55 mi16.98 km | |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 34.7, and 26.7% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Hertfordshire it was 50.6, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade D+ (24.7 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼34.7 | 46.0 | ||
| ▼26.7% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼44.1% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼11.8% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼2.89 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 36.3 | −6 |
| Further education | 54.2 | +10.5 |
| Other education | 0.6 | −0.8 |
| Apprenticeship | 1.2 | — |
| Employment | 2.4 | −2.5 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 4.8 | −0.1 |
| Activity not captured | 0.6 | −1.5 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 students | D+ (24.7) | Average -0.23 | |
| 29 students | C- (25) | Average -0.20 | |
| 38 students | Merit+ (29.5) | Above average +0.25 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 30 | D+ (23.6) | -0.16 |
| 2022/23 | 19 | D- (17.3) | — |
| 2021/22 | 11 | D+ (21.7) | — |
| 2018/19 | 15 | C- (27.9) | -0.42 |
| 2017/18 | 18 | D+ (21.9) | -0.77 |
| 2016/17 | 19 | D+ (22.3) | -0.47 |
| 2015/16 | 13 | D- (17.4) | -0.56 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 53.2 | +21.2 |
| Further education | 2.1 | — |
| Apprenticeship | 4.3 | −7.7 |
| Employment | 21.3 | −10.7 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 12.8 | −7.2 |
| Activity not captured | 6.4 | +2.4 |
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected The Astley Cooper School on 28 April 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Needs attention
- Achievement: Needs attention
- Attendance and behaviour: Needs attention
- Personal development and well-being: Needs attention
- Post-16 provision: Expected standard
- Leadership and governance: Needs attention
- Inspected
- 28 Apr 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Needs attention |
| Achievement | Needs attention |
| Attendance and behaviour | Needs attention |
| Personal development and well-being | Needs attention |
| Post-16 provision | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Needs attention |
Previously: Good, graded inspection, Nov 2021
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Nov 2021Good
Quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Sixth form Good Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
Jun 2016Good
Outcomes for pupils Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good Leadership and management Good 16 to 19 study programmes Requires improvement Safeguarding Effective May 2014Requires improvement
Outcomes for pupils Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Leadership and management Good
What parents said
88% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (58 replies, to 5 September 2022).
- Recommend
- 88%
- Replies
- 58
- 7% · 5 Sept 2022
based on the 72% who raised concerns
based on the 34% who had a child bullied
based on 13 parents (22%) with SEND