Hartshill Academy

About Hartshill Academy

Just over half of parents who responded to the most recent Parent View survey would recommend Hartshill Academy to another family, which gives a sense of the mixed feelings around the school. The school is oversubscribed, with more applications than places available, suggesting it remains a popular choice in the North Warwickshire area despite some clear challenges. Hartshill is a mixed, non-religious secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with 990 students on roll. Headteacher Lorraine Taylor leads a school that was rated Requires Improvement by Ofsted in its most recent inspection. The school offers a broad range of facilities including tennis courts, playing fields, a theatre, science labs, and a sixth form centre, plus clubs like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, coding, and orchestra. For families weighing up their options, the parent recommendation rate and oversubscription are useful starting points, but the academic picture tells a more detailed story.

Academically, Hartshill Academy sits well below the Warwickshire average on most key measures. Its Progress 8 score is -0.7, meaning pupils here achieve nearly three-quarters of a grade less per subject than students with similar starting points nationally. That places the school in the bottom 50 nationally and bottom of all five secondary schools in the North Warwickshire local authority area. The local authority average Progress 8 score is 0.02, so Hartshill's performance is a significant distance behind. Attainment 8, which measures average GCSE results across eight subjects, stands at 36.2, and just over half of pupils (51.1%) achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, though only 26.9% reached grade 5 or above. The EBacc entry rate is low at 14.8%, and the proportion of pupils achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above is 10.4%. These figures suggest the school is struggling to match the outcomes seen at nearby high-performing schools like Stratford Girls' Grammar or Lawrence Sheriff.

For families considering Hartshill, the practical picture is mixed. The school does have strong facilities for a state secondary, including art studios, music rooms, a library, and an ICT suite, plus a good range of sports from swimming and rowing to netball and rugby. The clubs on offer, such as drama, gardening, and film club, give pupils some enrichment opportunities outside the classroom. However, the school's Requires Improvement rating and below-average academic outcomes mean it may not be the right fit for families prioritising strong GCSE results. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Higham Lane School, 4.4 kilometres away, which could be an alternative worth investigating. Hartshill might suit families who value a broad extracurricular programme and a local, oversubscribed school, but who are prepared to support their child's academic progress more actively at home. The school's SEND provision is not detailed in the available data, so parents with specific needs should check directly with the school.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Hartshill Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents