Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Popular emoji_events #8 in Hertfordshire public Top 3% UK

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College

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

personMrs Cathy Tooze

corporate_fareHERTS & ESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

location_onBishop's Stortford, CM23 5NJ

language Visit Website phone 1279654127

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,483

trending_up

Attainment 8

63.6

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GCSE Rank

#8 in Hertfordshire

#178 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College is a Academy converter secondary school in Bishop's Stortford, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Demand is above capacity (1.0×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College is an academy converter in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of HERTS & ESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,450 pupils on roll, of whom 6% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 63.6, placing the school #8 in Hertfordshire and #178 of 3,216 nationally. 75.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 44.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 34 A-level subjects. 70.7% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 36.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.14 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.0× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.5:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.6 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

63.6

Grade 5+ E&M

75.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)44.3%

Entering EBacc61.10%

EBacc APS5.83

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.65

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

63.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc67.00%

EBacc APS5.84

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.60

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

61.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc67%

EBacc APS5.65

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.61

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

65.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65%

EBacc APS6.05

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc80%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.62

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

59.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc76%

EBacc APS5.56

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.77

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

61.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc74%

EBacc APS5.75

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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

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)98%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)98%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

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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

+0.14

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

243

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*13.1%

Achieving A*–A36.7%

Achieving A*–B70.7%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate97.9%

A-level subjects offered34

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.02

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

250

Retention rate97.60%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

302

Retention rate95.70%

2022

Avg Grade

B+

Students

226

Retention rate99.1%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

14 November 2023

Inspection Report

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03 April 2014

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-11-14

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2009-01-21

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2006-03-15

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

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

0.6%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.6%(8 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 1,450 pupils. During this period, there were 9 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.6%, 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)	1,450	9	0.6%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,453	9	0.6%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,434	8	0.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,436	10	0.7%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,438	14	1.0%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,480	26	1.8%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,483	32	2.2%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,480	26	1.8%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,459	23	1.6%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,463	12	0.8%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,467	33	2.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,346	19	1.4%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,350	6	0.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,348	8	0.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,267	2	0.2%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,267	19	1.5%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,266	7	0.6%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,288	23	1.8%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,292	21	1.6%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,295	9	0.7%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,276	7	0.5%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,279	8	0.6%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,288	8	0.6%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,222	10	0.8%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,224	7	0.6%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,228	27	2.2%	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.

Specific Learning Difficulty 45 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 26 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 17 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 11 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 2 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.

82.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

78.0%Positive

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

5.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree27%

agree41%

disagree27%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree18%

agree45%

disagree23%

strongly disagree14%

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

strongly agree14%

agree14%

disagree55%

strongly disagree9%

not applicable9%

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.

strongly agree45%

agree36%

disagree14%

strongly disagree5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree36%

agree41%

disagree18%

strongly disagree5%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree36%

agree36%

disagree27%

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

strongly agree36%

agree55%

disagree9%

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

strongly agree41%

agree41%

disagree9%

don't know9%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree23%

agree27%

disagree32%

strongly disagree14%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes55%

no45%

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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 Hertfordshire

Dame Alice Owen's School

Watford Grammar School for Boys

Watford Grammar School for Girls

Parmiter's School

St Clement Danes School

Sandringham School