Waldegrave comprises an outstanding comprehensive school for girls aged 11 to 16 years, together with a successful mixed sixth form of nearly 400 students. We are a school whose aim is that everyone enjoys learning, feels valued and experiences success.

We have approximately 150 staff made up of 100 teachers, 12 teaching assistants, 15 technicians and curriculum support staff, 20 administrative staff and 3 premises staff. Our examination results are excellent and reflect the work of committed staff and students.

Waldegrave was given an Outstanding by Ofsted in 2018 and we were awarded comprehensive school of the year in 2016 by The Sunday Times parent power tables. We have been awarded the World School accreditation.

Based in Twickenham, in the leafy London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, we are fortunate to be set in spacious and attractive grounds over a 14.5 acre site.

The school has received significant recent investment including a new sixth form block, dining room and sports hall, and a refurbished performing arts centre. Departments enjoy well-equipped specialist facilities, good break and lunch areas, as well as collaborative spaces.

We value the diversity of our school community and our curriculum. Staff and students enjoy positive relationships. Students are enthusiastic about learning and have ambition to succeed, as a result behaviour is excellent. This atmosphere allows teachers to have autonomy and be innovative and is one of the main reasons so many staff choose to stay at the school.

Support staff are valued and respected, and work collaboratively with teaching staff. They are integral to our ability to provide a safe, and happy environment in which students can thrive.

Quotes from the 2018 Ofsted Report

• The quality of teaching is consistently strong across the curriculum.
• Teachers are thoughtful practitioners, constantly looking at ways to become even better.
• Leaders, governors and teachers are united in having the highest aspirations for pupils.
• Students achieve exceptionally well in the sixth form. This is due to consistently effective teaching and excellent opportunities to enhance students’ wider personal development.
• Middle leaders are very effective at improving the quality of provision and outcomes in their subjects.
• The exceptional leadership of the headteacher and her senior team ensures excellent standards in all aspects of the school’s work

The inspection team looked at all aspects of the school including: standards of achievement, teaching and learning, the personal development and well-being of students, and leadership and management. All were graded outstanding which put the school in the top 25% of schools in the country.

There is a strong commitment to training and professional development, as well as the work/life balance of all staff. We are a national teaching school and deliver ITT in partnership with local universities.

Our Vision

To empower us all through:

• Great teaching and learning
• Positive relationships
• Being the best we can be
• Embracing the new
• Great leadership
• Being open-minded and respectful
• Sharing common values and practices
• Developing strong partnerships and by throwing ourselves into the life of the school

This is summarised using the three words;

Enjoy, Achieve, Empower

Our School Rule

Learning comes first: we show mutual respect and understanding for everyone, through courteous and considerate behaviour at all times.

“I am grateful to be part of the school and am confident it will help me succeed. My teachers are willing to help me outside of lessons/school day hours. I feel comfortable talking to my form tutor as she's very friendly and kind and I am very happy in school”

“I really enjoy school. Since coming to the sixth form I have really appreciated the level of respect, and we are treated more like young adults which is fitting with our new responsibilities”

“I think this school has helped me so much and has given me so much confidence and I am glad I picked this school to go to”