SchoolScoresSir John Lawes School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QP
01582 760043 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 28 March 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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| 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
192 pupils in this year group.
76% — 22 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 30 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 76% | 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. | 62.8 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.7 | 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.
200 pupils in this year group.
97% — 2 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 5 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. | 97% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 78% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 17% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 98% | 97% |
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
156 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 | 44% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 75% | 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. | 42.4 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
25 subjects, 435 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 59 | 20% | 54% | 40% |
| Biology | 38 | 3% | 13% | 27% |
| Psychology | 37 | 3% | 35% | 19% |
| Sociology | 29 | 24% | 48% | 20% |
| English Literature | 27 | 15% | 56% | 23% |
| Physics | 25 | 8% | 44% | 31% |
| Economics | 24 | 25% | 46% | 26% |
| Chemistry | 19 | 11% | 32% | 30% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 18 | 39% | 50% | 59% |
| Geography | 17 | 12% | 24% | 23% |
| History | 17 | 41% | 53% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 17 | 12% | 41% | 17% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 16 | 19% | 50% | 14% |
| Religious Studies | 16 | 19% | 63% | 22% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 15 | 20% | 33% | 24% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 13 | 8% | 31% | 15% |
| French | 9 | 11% | 56% | 38% |
| Government and Politics | 8 | 38% | 75% | 26% |
| Art and Design (Graphics) | 7 | 29% | 71% | 32% |
| Music | 7 | 14% | 57% | 29% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 6 | 17% | 50% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Photography), Art and Design (Textiles), 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.
173 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 | 3% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 16% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 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.
167 students in this year group.
83% — 20 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 23 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 83% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 40% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 83% |
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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 187 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 259 |
| Of those, offered a place | 179 (69%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 751 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.4
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 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.2% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 15% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 43% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Lower than 99% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Lower than 98% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Lower than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.3 | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Lower than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.2% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 78% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Harpenden. Higher than 5% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 4.9% | 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
- St George's School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 77% grade 5+ English and maths
- Katherine Warington School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- The King's School 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Aldwickbury School 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Roundwood Park School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 67% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sir John Lawes School's Ofsted rating?
Sir John Lawes School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 28 March 2023.
How did Sir John Lawes School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 76% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 30 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Sir John Lawes School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 259 families put Sir John Lawes School as their first choice for 187 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 179 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 137270.
- 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.