Many children will be starting secondary school in the Watford area next September, and lots of parents will soon have choices to make about where to send them.

Applications for Year 7 places in the Watford area close on Thursday, October 31, so the deadline is approaching soon.

If you've not yet made your decision and are worried you are running out of time, you're in luck as we've rounded up the best-rated schools in the area.

Using Ofsted ratings, we've found the secondary schools rated the best under outstanding and good status.

The results are listed for the Watford area with each of the ratings correct as of October 17, 2024. 

@uktoday_ How mobile phones could be banned in schools in England under new guidanxe #uknews #schoolphoneban #mobilephones #education #uknewsheadlines ♬ original sound - UKToday 🇬🇧 Newsquest

Best-rated secondary schools in the Watford area according to Ofsted

Watford Grammar School for Girls

  • Location: Lady's Close, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0AE
  • Rating: Outstanding 
  • Last report: 25 April 2024

Watford Grammar School for Boys

  • Location: Rickmansworth Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 7JF
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Last report:  02 December 2021

Parmiter's School

  • Location: High Elms Lane, Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 0UU
  • Rating: Outstanding 
  • Last report: 12 September 2024

Queens' School

  • Location: Aldenham Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 2TY
  • Rating: Good
  • Last report: 17 October 2019

Croxley Danes School

  • Location: Baldwins Lane, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 3LR
  • Rating: Good
  • Last report:  11 March 2022

Bushey Meads School

  • Location: Coldharbour Lane, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 4PA
  • Rating: Good
  • Last report: 05 December 2019

Saint Michael's Catholic High School

  • Location: High Elms Lane, Garston, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 0SS
  • Rating: Outstanding 
  • Last report: 12 December 2014

RECOMMENDED READING

Rickmansworth School

  • Location: Scots Hill, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 3AQ
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Last report: 27 October 2023

Saint Joan of Arc Catholic School

  • Location: High Street, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1HG
  • Rating: Good
  • Last report:  01 December 2023

Full reports on all the schools listed can be found on the Ofsted website.