Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 26 March 2024
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 | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 50.4 | 50.2 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 57% | 51% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 75% | 66% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 69% | 62% | 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 | Reading | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 39% | 53% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.1 |
Based on 248 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre'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.
Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre is in Reading 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
- 1,545
- Capacity
- 1,440
- Girls / boys
- 45% / 55%
- Free school meals
- 10%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 95.1
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 12.5
- Leadership (FTE)
- 9
- Part-time teachers
- 24%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
76%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
224 responses up to 6 January 2025 · 14% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
82% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
82% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
71% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
46% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
67% agree
Questions about Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre
What is Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre's Ofsted rating?
Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre's last overall grade from Ofsted was Good, on 30 April 2015. Ofsted inspected it again on 26 March 2024 without giving a new overall grade.
How do I apply for a place at Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre?
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 Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre 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 Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre?
Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre'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 Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre?
Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre had 1,545 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,440. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
