Best secondary schools in Hertford (2026)
Hertford has 3 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is Richard Hale School, in the top 14% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 49.1, against 46.1 for England. 0 are in England's top 10%, and 0 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Hertford has no grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 14% in England |
Richard Hale School Hertford · Boys |
55.1 | 56.3 | 66% | Good | |
2 Top 21% in England |
Simon Balle All-Through School Hertford |
52.3 | 55.4 | 64% | No rating | |
3 Bottom 16% in England |
The Sele School Hertford |
39.2 | 35.7 | 20% | Not judged |
Other towns in Hertfordshire
- Bishop's Stortford
- Bushey
- Cheshunt
- Harpenden
- Hemel Hempstead
- Hitchin
- Hoddesdon
- Rickmansworth
- St Albans
- Stevenage
- Watford
- Welwyn Garden City
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Hertford?
On exam results over the last three years, Richard Hale School is the top-ranked secondary school in Hertford, in the top 14% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.