John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre Academy

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of HEART OF MERCIA

Ledbury Road, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7ET

01989 764358 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 24 September 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths48%England 45% · 2024/25
5th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 62% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,274Room for 1,460 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,446 in 2019, 1,409 in 2021, 1,412 in 2022, 1,425 in 2023, 1,375 in 2024, 1,292 in 2025, 1,274 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.9167 for 180 places, September 2026
9th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 44% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 24 September 2024, 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.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

218 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Herefordshire, County of comparisons use the 7 of its 16 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 9 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.

StatementThis schoolHerefordshire, County ofEngland
My child is happy at this school
3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 60% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
86% 83% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 59% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
82% 78% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 79 parents whose child had been bullied
5th highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 54% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
51% 50% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 161 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 62% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
75% 70% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 47 parents of children with SEND
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 58% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
66% 67% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
82%said yes 78% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 17%). 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. Herefordshire, County of figures pool parents at the Herefordshire, County of 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

221 pupils in this year group.

48% — 6 points above the Herefordshire, County of average, and 3 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHerefordshire, County ofEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 48% 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. 47.7 44.7 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.2 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 43%This school 2023/24: 46%This school 2024/25: 48% This school England 45% 2022/23 43% 2023/24 46% 2024/25 48%

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.

247 pupils in this year group.

91% — about the same as the Herefordshire, County of average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 36%11%35%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolHerefordshire, County ofEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 91% 92% 92%
School sixth form 36% 8% 34%
Sixth form college 11% 37% 13%
Further education college 35% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 5% 4% 3%
Work 4% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%91%

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

103 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolHerefordshire, County ofEngland
Average A level grade C+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 20% 22% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 52% 51% 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. 34.2 33.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 33.6This school 2023/24: 30.0This school 2024/25: 34.2 This school England 35 2022/23 33.6 2023/24 30.0 2024/25 34.2

A level subjects, 2024/25

21 subjects, 247 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
History 36 8% 28% 23%
Psychology 27 0% 22% 19%
Mathematics 26 8% 23% 40%
Sociology 21 0% 19% 20%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 20 0% 5% 15%
Biology 15 7% 20% 27%
Physics 15 0% 13% 31%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 13 0% 8% 17%
Geography 10 10% 10% 23%
Drama and Theatre Studies 8 0% 0% 19%
Business Studies:Single 7 0% 14% 16%
Chemistry 7 0% 14% 30%
Computer Studies / Computing 7 0% 29% 24%
English Language 7 0% 57% 13%
Art and Design (Textiles) 6 17% 50% 36%
English Literature 6 17% 17% 23%
Religious Studies 6 33% 33% 22%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Geology, Spanish, Art and Design (Fine Art), German.

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.

92 students in this year group.

83% — 3 points above the Herefordshire, County of average, and 4 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHerefordshire, County ofEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 83% 80% 79%
Apprenticeship 4% 8% 7%
Work 35% 39% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
90%83%

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.

118 students in this year group.

68% — 20 points above the Herefordshire, County of average, and 8 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHerefordshire, County ofEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 68% 48% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 20% 15% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
76%68%

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 Herefordshire, County of. 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 offered180
Families who put it first167
Of those, offered a place167 (100%)
Families who listed it at all252

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 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.

Admissions dates and schools in Herefordshire, County of

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolHerefordshire, County ofEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
9th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.0% 20.7%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
15th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.6% 3.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
10th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
16.4% 18.1%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
12th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.6% 10.2%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
4th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.3% 8.1%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
6th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
19.8% 21.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
9th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Lower than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.7 13.0 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
4th lowest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Lower than 75% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
3.9% 5.5% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils 0.39% 0.25% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 9th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 39% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.3 16.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
9th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.8 11.6 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
11th highest of 15 state secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of.
Higher than 41% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
11.9% 13.5%* 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.

Questions parents ask

What is John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre Academy's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre Academy do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 48% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre Academy?

82% of the 218 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre Academy oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 167 families put John Kyrle High School and Sixth Form Centre Academy as their first choice for 180 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 167 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.