SchoolScoresHenlow CofE Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 9 to 16 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of POPPY HILL CHURCH OF ENGLAND MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Church Road, Henlow, SG16 6AN
01462 813733 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 29 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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.
What parents say
134 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Central Bedfordshire comparisons use the 15 of its 27 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 12 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 9th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 82% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 11th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 36% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 85% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 12th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 36% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 75% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 56 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 2nd highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 84% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 48% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 113 parents who had raised a concern 11th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 37% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 67% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 62 parents of children with SEND Joint 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 46% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 60% | 56% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 7th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 50% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80%said yes | 76% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 22%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Central Bedfordshire figures pool parents at the Central Bedfordshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | Not published | 50% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | Not published | 3% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | Not published | 70% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | Not published | 61% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | Not published | 66% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 103 | 105 |
"Not published": No figure published.
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, over time
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| 57% | Not published | Not published |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
86 pupils in this year group.
36% — 6 points below the Central Bedfordshire average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 36% | 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. | 42.7 | 43.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 3.8 | 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.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Central Bedfordshire. 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 | 177 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 173 |
| Of those, offered a place | 173 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 199 |
First-choice applications per place: 2025: 2.0 · 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 | Central Bedfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 8th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5% | 16.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 4.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4% | 11.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 15th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.0% | 7.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 20th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Lower than 50% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 7.5%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 18th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Lower than 57% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.1% | 20.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 16th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Lower than 53% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.3 | 15.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Lower than 81% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.2% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.16% | 0.26% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 25th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 15% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.9 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 26th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 7% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 12th highest of 27 state secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Higher than 56% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4% | 13.1%* | 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
- Samuel Whitbread Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Etonbury Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Pix Brook Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Robert Bloomfield Academy 2.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Henlow CofE Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 29 April 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Henlow CofE Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 36% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 9 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Henlow CofE Academy?
80% of the 134 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Henlow CofE Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Henlow CofE Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 173 families put Henlow CofE Academy as their first choice for 177 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 173 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 138027.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.