Harwich and Dovercourt High School
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 16 June 2026
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 37.6 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 28% | 43% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 44% | 64% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 39% | 59% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 21% | 39% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 215 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Harwich and Dovercourt High School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
Harwich and Dovercourt High School is in Essex council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years. For a Year 7 place, apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6.
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,091
- Capacity
- 1,300
- Girls / boys
- 50% / 50%
- Free school meals
- 40%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 67.4
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 15.3
- Leadership (FTE)
- 15.1
- Part-time teachers
- 26%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
Ofsted changed the Parent View questions in November 2025, so some questions differ between years.
31%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
22%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
170 responses up to 7 September 2026 · 16% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
39% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
45% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
18% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
21% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
22% agree
Questions about Harwich and Dovercourt High School
What is Harwich and Dovercourt High School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected Harwich and Dovercourt High School on 16 June 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Needs attention for curriculum and teaching, for inclusion, for leadership and governance, for personal development and wellbeing and for attendance and behaviour; Urgent improvement for achievement.
How do I apply for a place at Harwich and Dovercourt High School?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if Harwich and Dovercourt High School is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day.
What is the catchment area for Harwich and Dovercourt High School?
Harwich and Dovercourt High School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at Harwich and Dovercourt High School?
Harwich and Dovercourt High School had 1,091 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,300. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
