Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #32 in Buckinghamshire public Top 38% UK

The Highcrest Academy

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

personMr Glen Burke

corporate_fareTHE HIGHCREST ACADEMY

location_onHigh Wycombe, HP13 7NQ

language Visit Website phone 1494529866

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2016

groups

Students

1,059

trending_up

Attainment 8

38.5

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GCSE Rank

#33 in Buckinghamshire

#2,738 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Highcrest Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in High Wycombe, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.3×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

The Highcrest Academy is an academy converter in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE HIGHCREST ACADEMY. The school has approximately 1,072 pupils on roll, of whom 36% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 38.5, placing the school #33 in Buckinghamshire and #2,738 of 3,216 nationally. 27.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 9.4% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 18 A-level subjects. 33.3% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 12.6% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.04 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2016. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.3× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.5:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 6.2 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

38.5

Grade 5+ E&M

27.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)9.4%

Entering EBacc25.00%

EBacc APS3.32

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.39

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

39.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc25.80%

EBacc APS3.5

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.31

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS3.15

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.3

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12%

EBacc APS3.42

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc25%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc33%

EBacc APS3.28

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.04

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc17%

EBacc APS3.29

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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

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

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

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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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

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.8%

Achieving A*–A12.6%

Achieving A*–B33.3%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate95.7%

A-level subjects offered18

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.07

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate96.70%

2023

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate100.00%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate91.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

10 December 2024

Inspection Report

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11 February 2020

Inspection Report

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16 March 2016

Inspection Report

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27 April 2015

Inspection Report

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17 March 2014

Inspection Report

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19 November 2013

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2016-03-16

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-11-19

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

6.9%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.9%(52 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,072 pupils. During this period, there were 74 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 6.9%, 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)	1,072	74	6.9%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,067	59	5.5%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,066	44	4.1%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,068	64	6.0%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,071	60	5.6%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,058	57	5.4%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,059	31	2.9%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,064	53	5.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,029	24	2.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,030	28	2.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,031	35	3.4%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,011	52	5.1%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,000	6	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,004	45	4.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	996	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	996	24	2.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	996	21	2.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	960	40	4.2%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	967	54	5.6%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	960	26	2.7%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	876	39	4.5%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	882	28	3.2%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	878	23	2.6%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	881	45	5.1%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	880	50	5.7%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	882	42	4.8%	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 49 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 31 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 29 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 29 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 14 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

Physical Disability 1 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

85.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

89.0%Positive

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

21.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree28%

agree47%

disagree15%

strongly disagree6%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree22%

agree49%

disagree19%

strongly disagree6%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree35%

agree23%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

not applicable28%

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

yes28%

no72%

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

strongly agree37%

agree31%

disagree26%

strongly disagree3%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree36%

agree48%

disagree8%

strongly disagree1%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree31%

agree55%

disagree9%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree36%

agree52%

disagree9%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree47%

agree49%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree61%

agree35%

disagree1%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree37%

agree39%

disagree10%

strongly disagree6%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes85%

no15%

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Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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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 Buckinghamshire

Dr Challoner's High School

Beaconsfield High School

Chesham Grammar School

The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe

Aylesbury Grammar School

Wycombe High School