Hartford Church of England High School
89%
Capacity
1,070
Pupils
2.3x
Demand
About Hartford Church of England High School
Hartford Church of England High School is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Cheshire West and Chester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,070 pupils on roll and is well-filled (89% of 1,200 places).
Ofsted has rated Hartford Church of England High School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Rachel Pickerill, it falls under Cheshire West and Chester local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.15 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 47.1. Additionally, ranked 1885th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 13th out of 19 in Cheshire West and Chester.
Hartford Church of England High School is a popular choice with families — it received 519 applications for 222 places, making it 2.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 206 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Hartford Church of England High School include Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, ICT Suite, Library, Music Rooms, Sports Hall, Playing Fields, Science Labs, Sixth Form Centre, Gymnasium, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Dance, Basketball, Hockey, Cross Country and 2 more, as well as clubs including Book Club, Science Club, Choir, Newspaper and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 17.0%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester, Hartford Church of England High School is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Hartford Campus Chester Road, Northwich, Cheshire West and Chester, CW8 1LH |
| Headteacher | Rachel Pickerill |
| Local Authority | Cheshire West and Chester |
| Number of Pupils | 1,070 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 17.0% |
| School Capacity | 1,070 / 1,200 (89% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
20 Jun 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 12 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.15)
1885th of 3,141
Nationally
220th of 445
In North West
13th of 19
In Cheshire West and Chester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed222
519
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
206 families put this school as their 1st choice (40% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hartford Church of England High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Hartford Campus Chester Road, Northwich
Cheshire West and Chester, CW8 1LH
Hartford Campus Chester Road, Northwich
Cheshire West and Chester, CW8 1LH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at Hartford Church of England High School!
Write a Review