SchoolScoresHartford CofE High School
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England
Hartford Campus Chester Road, Northwich, CW8 1LH
01606 786000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 20 June 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
196 pupils in this year group.
56% — 14 points above the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 56% | 42% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 50.3 | 44.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
212 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Cheshire West and Chester average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | Not published | 32% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 43% | 15% | 13% |
| Further education college | 39% | 34% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 4% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 92% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Cheshire West and Chester. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 233 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 237 |
| Of those, offered a place | 226 (95%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 583 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Cheshire West and Chester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.7% | 22.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.6% | 3.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 12.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.6% | 7.0%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 9.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Lower than 59% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 21.7% | 24.2%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Lower than 34% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 22.3 | 22.9 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Lower than 39% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded8 pupils | 0.75% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 35% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1 | 16.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Northwich. Higher than 72% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.7% | 11.7%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Grange School 0.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 55% A*/A at A level
- St Nicholas Catholic High School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B+ average A level grade
- The County High School, Leftwich 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 3 expected · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Weaverham High School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 4 expected · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- OneSchool Global Northwich 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Rudheath Senior Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Hartford CofE High School's Ofsted rating?
Hartford CofE High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 20 June 2023.
How did Hartford CofE High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 56% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Hartford CofE High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 237 families put Hartford CofE High School as their first choice for 233 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 226 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138148.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.