Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #12 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole public Top 19% UK

Highcliffe School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Patrick Earnshaw

corporate_fareHISP MULTI ACADEMY TRUST LTD

location_onChristchurch, BH23 4QD

language Visit Website phone 1425273381

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2017

groups

Students

1,513

trending_up

Attainment 8

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GCSE Rank

#12 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

#1,357 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Highcliffe School is a Academy converter secondary school in Christchurch, serving ages 11-19. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Highcliffe School is an academy converter in Christchurch, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of HISP MULTI ACADEMY TRUST LTD. The school has approximately 1,565 pupils on roll, of whom 15% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 47, placing the school #12 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and #1,357 of 3,216 nationally. 45.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 14.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 27 A-level subjects. 50.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 22.9% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.04 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2017. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.9× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.0:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 4.9 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

45.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)14.8%

Entering EBacc45.70%

EBacc APS4.26

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc49.40%

EBacc APS4.64

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.18

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.0

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS4.28

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59%

EBacc APS4.69

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc53%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc56%

EBacc APS4.43

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc61%

EBacc APS4.7

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.04

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

109

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*8.8%

Achieving A*–A22.9%

Achieving A*–B50.8%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate96.3%

A-level subjects offered27

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.09

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

113

Retention rate93.80%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

123

Retention rate94.30%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

152

Retention rate99.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

27 June 2023

Inspection Report

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31 October 2017

Inspection Report

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30 June 2014

Inspection Report

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12 March 2013

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2017-10-31

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-03-12

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

3.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.4%(37 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,565 pupils. During this period, there were 58 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.7%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,565	58	3.7%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,579	95	6.0%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,496	64	4.3%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,509	83	5.5%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,522	86	5.7%	8.2%	3
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,489	74	5.0%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,513	94	6.2%	6.4%	2
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,526	107	7.0%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,519	55	3.6%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,535	45	2.9%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,538	50	3.3%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,513	44	2.9%	3.6%	2
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,516	3	0.2%	1.0%	2
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,535	85	5.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,463	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,463	43	2.9%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,472	39	2.6%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,420	43	3.0%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,420	43	3.0%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,431	64	4.5%	3.8%	3
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,380	58	4.2%	3.4%	3
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,384	31	2.2%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,389	61	4.4%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,387	52	3.7%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,398	69	4.9%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,409	84	6.0%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 71 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 49 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 23 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 17 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 17 pupils

Physical Disability 8 pupils

Hearing Impairment 6 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

72.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

77.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

14.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree22%

agree46%

disagree16%

strongly disagree10%

don't know5%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree26%

agree40%

disagree24%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree20%

agree23%

disagree20%

strongly disagree14%

don't know3%

not applicable20%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes17%

no83%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree18%

agree20%

disagree30%

strongly disagree22%

dont know10%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree40%

agree37%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know9%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree31%

agree44%

disagree15%

strongly disagree8%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree31%

agree44%

disagree16%

strongly disagree7%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree39%

agree51%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree39%

agree48%

disagree7%

strongly disagree4%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree23%

agree34%

disagree20%

strongly disagree11%

don't know12%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes72%

no28%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Bournemouth School

Bournemouth School for Girls

Poole Grammar School

Parkstone Grammar School

Glenmoor Academy

Winton Academy