SchoolScoresThe Highfield School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Highfield, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3QA
01462 620500 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 17 May 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
11 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Hertfordshire comparisons use the 51 of its 82 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 31 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 51st highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 7% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 90% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 51st highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 3% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 45% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 51st highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 0% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 9% | 85% | 84% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 11 parents who had raised a concern 51st highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 1% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 9% | 78% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 51st highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 18%said yes | 87% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 1%). 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. 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
171 pupils in this year group.
40% — 13 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 40% | 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. | 41.7 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 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.
156 pupils in this year group.
94% — about the same as the Hertfordshire average, and 2 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. | 94% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 46% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 41% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 94% |
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
74 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 24% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 41% | 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. | 32.4 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
25 subjects, 203 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 27 | 19% | 48% | 40% |
| Business Studies:Single | 18 | 0% | 17% | 16% |
| Physics | 18 | 0% | 17% | 31% |
| Psychology | 17 | 0% | 6% | 19% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 16 | 6% | 38% | 24% |
| Geography | 13 | 8% | 23% | 23% |
| Economics | 9 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| History | 9 | 0% | 33% | 23% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 8 | 13% | 38% | 59% |
| Biology | 7 | 14% | 14% | 27% |
| English Language | 7 | 14% | 29% | 13% |
| Government and Politics | 7 | 0% | 14% | 26% |
| Sociology | 7 | 29% | 43% | 20% |
| Law | 6 | 0% | 17% | 17% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 6 | 0% | 17% | 17% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Chemistry, English Literature, Art and Design (Photography), Film Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, German, Music, Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Textiles), Religious Studies.
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.
74 students in this year group.
78% — 4 points below the Hertfordshire average, and about the same as 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. | 78% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 20% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 78% |
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.
62 students in this year group.
73% — 10 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 73% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 13% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 73% | 73% |
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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 130 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 121 |
| Of those, offered a place | 121 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 388 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.8 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 19th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 27.8% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 28th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.6% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 55th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.4% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 64th lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 24% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 63rd lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 23% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 28.9% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 68th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 23% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 30.4 | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 69th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.31% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 53rd highest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 33% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.0 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 55th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.5 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 50th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 34% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9% | 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 Francis College 0.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 62% A*/A at A level
- Fearnhill School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Christopher School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 27% A*/A at A level
- The Priory School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hitchin Girls' School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 69% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hitchin Boys' School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 4 exceptional, 3 strong · 67% grade 5+ English and maths
- Kingshott School 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Knights Templar School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Highfield School's Ofsted rating?
The Highfield School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 17 May 2023.
How did The Highfield School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Highfield School?
18% of the 11 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend The Highfield School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Highfield School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 121 families put The Highfield School as their first choice for 130 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 121 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 150217.
- 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.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.