About Waldegrave School, Twickenham
Waldegrave School is a non-selective, all-ability state secondary school for girls aged 11–16, with a co-educational Sixth Form, in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is a state-funded academy — not an independent, fee-paying school — with a long history as a girls’ school and the motto ‘Enjoy, Achieve, Empower’.
It is state-funded, so there are no fees and no academic entrance exam — places are allocated through Richmond’s coordinated admissions on the basis of distance from the school. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, it is one of the strongest comprehensives in the country, with results that rival many selective schools.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Waldegrave School
Waldegrave School Admissions Criteria
Waldegrave is a non-selective, all-ability state academy, so there is no academic entrance exam and no fees. Year 7 places (for girls) are coordinated by Richmond upon Thames and offered, after higher-priority categories, on the basis of distance from the school. You apply through your home Local Authority, not directly to the school. The Sixth Form is co-educational, and applications for it are made directly to the school.
- ✓Step 1 — Visit: Look round at an Open Day or arranged tour to get a feel for the school. This is not part of any selection process.
- ✓Step 2 — Apply through your Local Authority: List the school on your child’s secondary Common Application Form (CAF) through your home Local Authority by the national deadline of 31 October in Year 6. You do not register or pay a fee directly to the school.
- ✓Step 3 — Offers: Your Local Authority sends offers on National Offer Day (1 March of Year 6). Places are allocated against the published oversubscription criteria below.
- ✓Step 4 — Accept your place: Accept the offer through your Local Authority by the date given. There is no acceptance deposit — it is a state-funded school.
As a state-funded school there are no tuition fees. Support such as free school meals and pupil premium funding is available to eligible families — contact the school for details.
How Places Are Allocated at Waldegrave School
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children, and children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that names the school.
- Children with an exceptional medical or social need for a place at this particular school.
- Children of members of staff (under the usual conditions), and girls with a sibling at the school on entry.
- All other girls, ranked by straight-line distance from home to school (the tie-breaker).
- Demand is very high and the catchment is small, so most pupils live close to the school in the surrounding Twickenham streets.
Catchment Area for Waldegrave School
Waldegrave is a non-selective state academy, so admission is by Richmond’s coordinated process rather than an entrance exam — with a tight, distance-based catchment.
Cut-off distances vary year to year and the catchment is small, so check the school’s admission arrangements and the Richmond secondary admissions booklet before applying.
Academic Performance at Waldegrave School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Waldegrave is a high-performing, non-selective school rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, with results that rival many selective schools.
- GCSE: strong — in the top 10% of schools nationally, with a Progress 8 score among the best in the country.
- A-Level: excellent results in a co-educational Sixth Form, in the top 25% nationally, with most leavers progressing to university.
- Recognition: ranked among the best state comprehensives in the UK and holder of World Class Schools accreditation.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Waldegrave School is a non-selective state academy for girls aged 11–16 (with a co-educational Sixth Form) on Fifth Cross Road in Twickenham, south-west London, with the motto ‘Enjoy, Achieve, Empower’ and a warm, inclusive ethos — it is a recognised ‘attachment aware’ school. Organised into houses named after prominent women (Pankhurst, Eliot, Franklin and Seacole), it is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Co-curricular life is wide-ranging, spanning sport, music, drama, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and many clubs. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Waldegrave School
How do I apply to Waldegrave School for Year 7?
Apply through Richmond upon Thames’ secondary coordinated admissions, naming the school on your daughter’s Common Application Form by 31 October. There is no separate registration with the school and no fee.
Is there an entrance exam at Waldegrave?
No. It is a non-selective, all-ability state school with no entrance exam; places are decided by the published criteria, not by a test.
Is Waldegrave selective?
No. It is a comprehensive academy that serves its local community and does not select on academic ability.
How are places allocated if the school is oversubscribed?
After looked-after children and those with medical or social need, priority goes to siblings, with straight-line distance from the school as the tie-breaker — and demand is very high, so the catchment is small.
Does Waldegrave have a Sixth Form, and is it co-ed?
Yes — the main school is for girls aged 11–16, and the Sixth Form is co-educational. Applications for the Sixth Form are made directly to the school.
Are there fees at Waldegrave?
No. It is a state-funded school, so there are no tuition fees.
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