SchoolScoresThe Bishop's Stortford High School
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Sixth form
Beaumont Avenue, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 4SH
01279 868686 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 14 March 2017.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 25 May 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
169 pupils in this year group.
69% — 16 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 24 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 69% | 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. | 60.2 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 5.9 | 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.
168 pupils in this year group.
99% — 4 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 7 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. | 99% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 77% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 17% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 99% |
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
198 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 | 26% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 57% | 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. | 35.7 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
29 subjects, 565 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 78 | 10% | 33% | 40% |
| Biology | 46 | 7% | 26% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 44 | 5% | 20% | 30% |
| Psychology | 42 | 0% | 26% | 19% |
| Business Studies:Single | 40 | 3% | 28% | 16% |
| Physics | 38 | 8% | 24% | 31% |
| History | 35 | 0% | 43% | 23% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 30 | 0% | 13% | 17% |
| Economics | 27 | 7% | 41% | 26% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 21 | 0% | 19% | 14% |
| Sociology | 20 | 0% | 5% | 20% |
| Geography | 19 | 11% | 42% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 19 | 5% | 26% | 26% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 17 | 0% | 18% | 24% |
| English Language | 14 | 0% | 14% | 13% |
| English Literature | 12 | 0% | 8% | 23% |
| Religious Studies | 12 | 0% | 33% | 22% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 11 | 9% | 18% | 15% |
| French | 7 | 0% | 43% | 38% |
| German | 7 | 0% | 0% | 42% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 6 | 0% | 17% | 38% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 6 | 0% | 17% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Environmental Science, Mathematics (Further), Chinese, Music, Italian, Modern Greek, Spanish.
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.
148 students in this year group.
93% — 11 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 14 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. | 93% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 25% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 93% |
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.
192 students in this year group.
74% — 11 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 14 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 74% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 38% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 76% | 74% |
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 | 172 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 277 |
| Of those, offered a place | 160 (58%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 559 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.6
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 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.3% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.9% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Lower than 92% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.2% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Lower than 91% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Lower than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0 | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.4% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.9 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Higher than 33% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7% | 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 Mary's Catholic School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 66% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Hertfordshire and Essex High School and Science College 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 76% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bishop's Stortford College 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 53% A*/A at A level
- Hockerill Anglo-European College 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 73% grade 5+ English and maths
- Leventhorpe 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Birchwood High School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Avanti Grange Secondary School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Bishop's Stortford High School's Ofsted rating?
The Bishop's Stortford High School was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 March 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 25 May 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Outstanding.
How did The Bishop's Stortford High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 69% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 24 points above the England average of 45%.
Is The Bishop's Stortford High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 277 families put The Bishop's Stortford High School as their first choice for 172 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 160 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 117577.
- 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.