Waldegrave School, Twickenham
Waldegrave School is a high-performing secondary school for girls located in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The school is widely recognised for its strong academic results, excellent pastoral care, and specialist provision in music and the performing arts.
Waldegrave is a partially selective school, meaning admission is based on a combination of academic assessment, aptitude testing (for music), and local authority admissions criteria.
The school is heavily oversubscribed each year and is considered one of the most desirable schools in the Twickenham and Richmond area.
School Address
Waldegrave School
Fifth Cross Road
Twickenham
Middlesex
TW2 5LH
Telephone: 020 8894 3244
Website: https://www.waldegraveschool.org.uk/
History of Waldegrave School
Waldegrave School has a long-established history as one of the leading girls’ schools in South West London. It has developed from a traditional secondary school into a modern, high-achieving comprehensive with selective elements.
Over time, the school has built a strong reputation for academic success, particularly in GCSE and A-Level performance, as well as excellence in music and performing arts.
Today, Waldegrave combines academic ambition with specialist arts provision and a strong emphasis on student development, leadership, and wellbeing.
Academic Reputation & Awards
Waldegrave School is widely regarded as one of the strongest performing state schools in the Richmond borough.
The school is known for:
- Consistently strong GCSE and A-Level results
- High progression rates to Russell Group universities
- Specialist strength in Music and Performing Arts
- Strong STEM and humanities performance
- Excellent pastoral care and student support
- Broad enrichment and extracurricular programme
The school has a strong academic reputation locally and is frequently oversubscribed due to high demand for places.
Students benefit from:
- High-quality subject teaching
- Strong academic tracking and support
- Specialist music provision
- Leadership and enrichment opportunities
- A strong university preparation programme
GCSE Results
Waldegrave School consistently achieves strong GCSE results year after year.
Typical outcomes include:
- High proportions of grades 7–9
- Strong performance across core subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science
- Above-average attainment compared with national results
- Strong overall student progress measures
The school is recognised for consistently strong academic outcomes across a broad curriculum.
A-Level Results
At Sixth Form level, Waldegrave School continues to achieve strong academic performance.
Typical A-Level outcomes include:
- High rates of A*–B grades
- Strong progression into university study
- Particularly strong outcomes in Arts, Humanities and Sciences
- Regular acceptance into competitive university courses
Many students progress to Russell Group universities and specialist conservatoires, particularly in music-related pathways.
Year 7 Admissions Criteria
Admission into Year 7 at Waldegrave School is managed by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and is based on a combination of academic assessment and local authority criteria.
Admission Overview
Waldegrave is not a traditional grammar school but includes selective elements within its admissions process.
Places are allocated based on:
- Local authority admissions criteria
- Catchment area priority
- Academic assessment results (where applicable)
- Music aptitude test (for specialist music places)
Entrance Assessment
Depending on the admissions category, pupils may be assessed through:
- Verbal reasoning
- Non-verbal reasoning
- Maths and English ability
- Music aptitude test (for music places)
Music Aptitude (if applicable)
A proportion of places are allocated to students demonstrating strong musical ability through a separate aptitude assessment.
Application Process
Parents must:
- Apply through the Richmond Local Authority secondary admissions process
- Sit any required assessment tests
- Submit school preferences
- Await allocation of places based on criteria and ranking
Due to high demand, entry is competitive and often prioritised based on proximity and assessed ability.
Why Parents Choose Waldegrave School
Parents choose Waldegrave School because of its:
- Strong academic performance
- Excellent GCSE and A-Level outcomes
- Specialist music provision
- High-quality teaching and pastoral care
- Strong reputation within Richmond and Twickenham
- Broad enrichment opportunities
The school remains one of the most popular secondary schools for girls in South West London.
Google Maps Location
https://maps.google.com/?q=Waldegrave+School+Fifth+Cross+Road+Twickenham+TW2+5LH
