Herne Bay High School
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 15 September 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 | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 36.8 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 22% | 47% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 51% | 65% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 45% | 61% | 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 | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 8% | 47% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 2.9 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Based on 266 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,545
- Capacity
- 1,494
- Girls / boys
- 48% / 52%
- Free school meals
- 32%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 94.4
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 19.9
- Leadership (FTE)
- 13.4
- Part-time teachers
- 33%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Questions about Herne Bay High School
What is Herne Bay High School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected Herne Bay High School on 15 September 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 Strong standard for post-16 provision; Expected standard for curriculum and teaching, for inclusion, for personal development and wellbeing and for attendance and behaviour; Needs attention for achievement and for leadership and governance.
How do I apply for a place at Herne Bay 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 Herne Bay 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.
Does living near Herne Bay High School guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when Herne Bay High School has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at Herne Bay High School?
Herne Bay High School had 1,545 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,494. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
