Canons High School

About Canons High School

Canons High School is a popular choice among Harrow families, with twice as many applications as places available for Year 7 entry in 2025/26. The school received 332 applications for 166 places, and 103 of those were first-preference choices, all of whom were offered a spot. That oversubscription ratio of 2:1 suggests a solid local reputation, though it is worth noting that the school does not publish a parent-view survey score, so direct feedback from families is not available to gauge satisfaction levels. The school is a mixed, non-religious state secondary with a sixth form, and it serves 1,217 pupils against a capacity of 1,280. Around 28.5 per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and reflects a diverse intake. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, the school was rated Good across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This marked a clear improvement from its previous inspection in 2019, when it was rated Requires Improvement.

Academically, Canons sits in the bottom half of schools in Harrow when ranked by Progress 8, coming 11th out of 13 schools in the local authority. Its Progress 8 score of -0.07 is described as average nationally, meaning pupils make roughly the expected level of progress from Key Stage 2 to GCSE. However, this is below the Harrow local authority average of 0.36, so pupils here do not progress as strongly as their peers in other local schools. The Attainment 8 score is 47.6, and 67.3 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, though this drops to 46.3 per cent at grade 5 or above. Only 16.1 per cent of pupils entered the EBacc combination of subjects. In the sixth form, the picture is more mixed: the value-added score is -0.26, which is below average, and the average points per entry is 23.51, equivalent to a D+ grade. The best three A-levels average out at a D+ as well, and only 2.2 per cent of students achieved AAB or higher in at least two facilitating subjects.

The school offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, tennis courts, and a sixth form centre. Sports provision is strong, with options such as hockey, rowing, martial arts, and gymnastics, and there are clubs covering chess, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Model UN, and Young Enterprise. For families with children who have special educational needs, the school lists provisions for a broad spectrum of needs, including dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. The school is oversubscribed, so families applying from outside the immediate catchment area should be aware that competition is stiff. Canons is a solid, improving school that suits families looking for a large, inclusive secondary with decent facilities and a sixth form, but those prioritising the strongest academic outcomes in Harrow may want to consider higher-performing local options such as Avanti House School or Bentley Wood High School.

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