SchoolScoresHitchin Boys' School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Sixth form
Part of HITCHIN BOYS' SCHOOL
Grammar School Walk, Hitchin, SG5 1JB
01462 432181 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 25 November 2025 , published 1 February 2026.
In short: 4 exceptional, 3 strong, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Exceptional The highest of five grades. Ofsted judged this among the best nationally. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
445 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Hertfordshire comparisons use the 8 of its 82 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 74 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 | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 90% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 85% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 88% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 89% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 92% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 84% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 52 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 94% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 55% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 305 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 85% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 74% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 104 parents of children with SEND 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 70% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 59% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 93% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98%said yes | 89% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 33%). 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. Hertfordshire figures pool parents at the Hertfordshire 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
210 pupils in this year group.
67% — 13 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 67% | 53% | 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. | 57.1 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.5 | 4.6 | 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.
208 pupils in this year group.
98% — 3 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 98% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 69% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 21% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | Not published | 2% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 98% |
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
139 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 33% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 58% | 58% | 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. | 37.3 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
27 subjects, 398 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 51 | 24% | 55% | 40% |
| Economics | 37 | 16% | 35% | 26% |
| Biology | 35 | 17% | 46% | 27% |
| Physics | 35 | 34% | 54% | 31% |
| Geography | 33 | 15% | 36% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 30 | 17% | 57% | 30% |
| Psychology | 26 | 0% | 8% | 19% |
| Business Studies:Single | 16 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 15 | 0% | 13% | 15% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 14 | 43% | 64% | 59% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 14 | 0% | 7% | 14% |
| Sociology | 14 | 0% | 7% | 20% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 11 | 18% | 27% | 24% |
| History | 9 | 11% | 11% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 8 | 13% | 13% | 17% |
| French | 7 | 0% | 14% | 38% |
| English Literature | 6 | 17% | 17% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 6 | 0% | 17% | 26% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, Music, Art and Design (Fine Art), Classical Civilisation, Film Studies, Spanish, Religious Studies, Art and Design (Photography), English Language and Literature.
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.
129 students in this year group.
91% — 9 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 91% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 26% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 91% |
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.
132 students in this year group.
71% — 8 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 71% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 29% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 79% | 71% |
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 Hertfordshire. 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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 203 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 237 |
| Of those, offered a place | 203 (86%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 399 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.2
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 | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 71% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.6% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 97% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 4.4% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 97% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.2% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 75% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.0 | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Lower than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 30% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 56% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Hitchin. Higher than 54% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9% | 12.7%* | 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
- Hitchin Girls' School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 69% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Priory School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Kingshott School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Highfield School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Fearnhill School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Francis College 2.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 62% A*/A at A level
- St Christopher School 2.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 27% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Hitchin Boys' School's Ofsted rating?
Hitchin Boys' School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 25 November 2025. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 4 exceptional, 3 strong, and safeguarding was met.
How did Hitchin Boys' School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 67% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 21 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Hitchin Boys' School?
98% of the 445 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Hitchin Boys' School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Hitchin Boys' School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 237 families put Hitchin Boys' School as their first choice for 203 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 203 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 139154.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 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.