SchoolScoresHedingham School and Sixth Form
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of HEDINGHAM SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM
Yeldham Road, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, CO9 3QH
01787 460470 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 May 2013.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 3 March 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
192 pupils in this year group.
27% — 16 points below the Essex average, and 18 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 27% | 43% | 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. | 39.9 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.2 | 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.
193 pupils in this year group.
95% — 3 points above the Essex average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 95% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 47% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 12% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 29% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 95% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
68 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 11% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 33% | 54% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 28.4 | 34.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
17 subjects, 154 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 23 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Biology | 20 | 0% | 15% | 27% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 15 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| Mathematics | 14 | 14% | 29% | 40% |
| Business Studies:Single | 10 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Chemistry | 10 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Physics | 9 | 0% | 33% | 31% |
| Geography | 8 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Sociology | 7 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 6 | 33% | 33% | 38% |
| English Literature | 6 | 0% | 17% | 23% |
| History | 6 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Photography), Art and Design (3d Studies), Computer Studies / Computing, Government and Politics, Mathematics (Further).
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
86 students in this year group.
86% — 5 points above the Essex average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 86% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 38% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 86% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
79 students in this year group.
52% — 2 points below the Essex average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 52% | 54% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 6% | 15% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 60% | 52% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 Essex. 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 | 189 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 177 |
| Of those, offered a place | 177 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 300 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 60th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.0% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 34th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.9% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.0% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 80th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.4% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 63rd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 19% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 55th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 34% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.6% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 22nd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.2 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 15th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 77% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.7% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 25th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 76% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.1 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 31st highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 81% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.3 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 58th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 24% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 13.3%* | 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
- Gosfield School 2.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 0% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Hedingham School and Sixth Form's Ofsted rating?
Hedingham School and Sixth Form was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 May 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 3 March 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Hedingham School and Sixth Form do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 27% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 18 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Hedingham School and Sixth Form oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 177 families put Hedingham School and Sixth Form as their first choice for 189 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 177 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 139153.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.