SchoolScoresThe Highcrest Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THE HIGHCREST ACADEMY
Hatters Lane, High Wycombe, HP13 7NQ
01494 529866 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 16 March 2016.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 11 December 2024: Ofsted found some aspects were not as strong as at the last graded inspection.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
124 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
High Wycombe comparisons use the 4 of its 8 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 4 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 | High Wycombe | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe. Higher than 43% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 92% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 49 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe. Higher than 59% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 53% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 89 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe. Higher than 77% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80% | 87% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 35 parents of children with SEND 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Buckinghamshire. Higher than 64% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in High Wycombe. Higher than 64% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85%said yes | 93% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 12%). 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. High Wycombe figures pool parents at the High Wycombe 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
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
176 pupils in this year group.
28% — 31 points below the Buckinghamshire average, and 18 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 28% | 59% | 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. | 38.5 | 53.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.3 | 4.8 | 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.
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.
175 pupils in this year group.
89% — 6 points below the Buckinghamshire average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 89% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 50% | 61% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 9% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 23% | 22% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 89% |
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
56 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | B | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 13% | 42% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 33% | 69% | 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. | 27.7 | 40.4 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
18 subjects, 111 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 19 | 5% | 16% | 40% |
| Psychology | 19 | 0% | 11% | 19% |
| Sociology | 15 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Law | 9 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Geography | 8 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Physics | 8 | 0% | 13% | 31% |
| Chemistry | 7 | 0% | 14% | 30% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Biology, English Literature, History, Government and Politics, Art and Design, Art and Design (Textiles), Mathematics (Further), Accounting / Finance, French, Media/Film/Tv Studies, 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.
80 students in this year group.
84% — about the same as the Buckinghamshire average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 84% | 85% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 5% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 25% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 84% |
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.
74 students in this year group.
72% — about the same as the Buckinghamshire average, and 12 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 72% | 73% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 11% | 38% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 81% | 72% |
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 Buckinghamshire. 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 | 172 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 187 |
| Of those, offered a place | 123 (66%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 463 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1
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 | Buckinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 35.6% | 14.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 85% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.0% | 3.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 11.0%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 26.0% | 19.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 25% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9% | 7.9%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 32% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.1% | 22.4%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 50% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.8 | 11.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Lower than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 4.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.09% | 0.07% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 9% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.3 | 17.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 7% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in High Wycombe. Higher than 29% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 14.4%* | 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
- The Chalfonts Independent Grammar School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Godstowe Preparatory School 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wycombe Abbey 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 77% A*/A at A level
- Sir William Ramsay School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2022, before conversion) · 26% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Michael's Catholic School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 5 expected · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wycombe High School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 97% grade 5+ English and maths
- John Hampden Grammar School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cressex Community School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Holmer Green Senior School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Highcrest Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Highcrest Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 16 March 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 11 December 2024, Ofsted found some aspects were not as strong as at the last graded inspection.
How did The Highcrest Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 28% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 18 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Highcrest Academy?
85% of the 124 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Highcrest Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Highcrest Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 187 families put The Highcrest Academy as their first choice for 172 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 123 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 136858.
- 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, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.