Whitmore High School

Community school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Porlock Avenue, Harrow, HA2 0AD

020 8864 7688 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 18 March 2025
Grade 5 or above in English and maths57%England 45% · 2024/25
6th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Higher than 77% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,724Room for 1,750 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,676 in 2019, 1,713 in 2021, 1,684 in 2022, 1,733 in 2023, 1,733 in 2024, 1,739 in 2025, 1,724 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.6407 for 257 places, September 2026
1st highest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Higher than 94% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 18 March 2025, 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 educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

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

Harrow comparisons use the 8 of its 10 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 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 schoolHarrowEngland
My child is happy at this school
5th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harrow.
Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
79% 83% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
6th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harrow.
Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 85% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
5th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harrow.
Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73% 78% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 33 parents whose child had been bullied
8th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harrow.
Higher than 17% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
36% 51% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 61 parents who had raised a concern
6th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harrow.
Higher than 35% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
64% 71% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 16 parents of children with SEND
3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harrow.
Higher than 51% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
63% 67% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
4th highest of 8 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harrow.
Higher than 46% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78%said yes 80% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 5%). 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. Harrow figures pool parents at the Harrow 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

269 pupils in this year group.

57% — 3 points above the Harrow average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHarrowEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 57% 54% 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. 55 51.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.1 4.7 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 61%This school 2023/24: 57%This school 2024/25: 57% This school England 45% 2022/23 61% 2023/24 57% 2024/25 57%

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.

265 pupils in this year group.

94% — about the same as the Harrow average, and 2 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHarrowEngland
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 63% 49% 34%
Sixth form college 5% 12% 13%
Further education college 25% 32% 37%
Apprenticeship Not published – 3%
Work 1% – 3%

"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
98%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

182 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolHarrowEngland
Average A level grade B- B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 35% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 67% 55% 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. 36.7 36.7 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 39This school 2023/24: 36.4This school 2024/25: 36.7 This school England 35 2022/23 39 2023/24 36.4 2024/25 36.7

A level subjects, 2024/25

25 subjects, 526 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 106 14% 42% 40%
Psychology 52 2% 23% 19%
Economics 47 6% 34% 26%
Biology 45 18% 27% 27%
Chemistry 34 15% 38% 30%
Business Studies:Single 33 9% 36% 16%
English Literature 31 10% 32% 23%
Sociology 22 0% 36% 20%
Mathematics (Further) 19 37% 68% 59%
Computer Studies / Computing 18 22% 50% 24%
Geography 18 6% 22% 23%
History 17 6% 29% 23%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 17 29% 59% 14%
Physics 16 19% 25% 31%
English Language and Literature 10 0% 20% 16%
Art and Design 9 11% 67% 34%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 8 0% 0% 17%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, French, Government and Politics, Music, Religious Studies, Design and Technology (Product Design), German, Persian.

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.

191 students in this year group.

90% — 8 points above the Harrow average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHarrowEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 90% 82% 79%
Apprenticeship 2% 3% 7%
Work 8% 13% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
89%90%

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.

151 students in this year group.

84% — 7 points above the Harrow average, and 24 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHarrowEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 84% 77% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 32% 26% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
85%84%

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 Harrow. 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 offered257
Families who put it first407
Of those, offered a place216 (53%)
Families who listed it at all1,338

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.8 · 2025: 1.3 · 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.

Admissions dates and schools in Harrow

Pupils, staff and SEND

Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 22 places for autism; Physical disability. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.

PupilsThis schoolHarrowEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
32.3% 26.4%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
1st highest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.9% 3.1%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
10th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.7% 9.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
3rd highest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
68.2% 60.7%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Lower than 93% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
5.1% 6.9%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Lower than 92% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
12.3% 20.8%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Lower than 90% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
3.0 6.9 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Lower than 90% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
2.0% 4.2% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils 0.17% 0.13% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
10th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Higher than 8% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
14.2 15.9 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
9th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Higher than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.5 11.4 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
7th highest of 10 state secondary schools in Harrow.
Higher than 41% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
11.9% 14.5%* 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.

SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Whitmore High School's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 18 March 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Whitmore High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 57% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Whitmore High School?

78% of the 80 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Whitmore High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Whitmore High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 407 families put Whitmore High School as their first choice for 257 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 216 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.