Heckmondwike Grammar School
105%
Capacity
1,468
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About Heckmondwike Grammar School
Heckmondwike Grammar School is a state secondary and sixth form in Kirklees that is significantly oversubscribed, a clear signal of its local standing. For the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 618 applications for 208 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.97. Of those, 374 were first-preference applications, and 207 first-preference offers were made. The school currently has 1,468 pupils against a capacity of 1,400, so it is operating above its official number. Just 5.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the national average and a figure that reflects the selective nature of the intake. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and has no religious character. It converted to academy status some time ago, and its headteacher is Peter Roberts.
Academically, the school is a high performer. Its Progress 8 score of 1.0 is rated 'Well above average' and far exceeds the Kirklees local authority average of 0.07. This ranks Heckmondwike first out of 24 schools in the LA, second out of 306 in Yorkshire and the Humber, and 80th nationally out of 3,141 schools. Attainment 8 sits at 78.5, and 99% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc average point score is 6.88, with 35.7% of pupils entering the EBacc. At A-level, the average grade per entry is a B, with 30.7% of pupils achieving at least AAB. The sixth form value added score is -0.09, which is rated 'Below average', though the school's overall sixth form provision was graded 'Requires improvement' in its most recent Ofsted inspection. The school's overall Ofsted rating is Good, with behaviour and attitudes judged Outstanding.
The school offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, astro turf, theatre, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports on offer include rowing, rugby, and hockey, while clubs range from the Duke of Edinburgh's Award to Model UN and a newspaper club. SEND provisions cover specific learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorder, and speech, language and communication needs, among others. This is a selective grammar school that suits families who are confident their child will thrive in a high-pressure academic environment and who are prepared for a competitive admissions process. The school is heavily oversubscribed, so a first-preference application is essential. For those seeking a school with outstanding behaviour and strong exam results, Heckmondwike is a standout option in Kirklees.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | High Street, Heckmondwike, Kirklees, WF16 0AH |
| Headteacher | Peter Roberts |
| Local Authority | Kirklees |
| Number of Pupils | 1,468 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 5.4% |
| School Capacity | 1,468 / 1,400 (105% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Apr 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 15 Jun 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+1.00)
80th of 3,141
Nationally
2nd of 306
In Yorkshire and the Humber
1st of 24
In Kirklees
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more 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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
39.5
'22/23
36.0
'23/24
40.2
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2369%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 181 pupils).
- School sixth form (stay)69%
- Sixth form college27%
- FE college2%
- Apprenticeship1%
99% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Where school leavers go
2022/2365%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 248 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
26%
Russell Group
27%
Top-third HE
2%
Oxford / Cambridge
Percentages of the whole cohort (not just HE-goers). Russell Group = 24 elite research universities. Top-third HE = top by mean UCAS tariff.
- University (HE)65%
- Employment16%
- Not sustained7%
- Apprenticeship6%
- Further education2%
- Other education1%
Sources: DfE 16-18 destination measures (broad bucket); DfE KS5 student destinations file (Russell Group / top-third HE / Oxbridge). Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion.
Sixth form A-level subjects
2022/23- Mathematics114
- Chemistry112
- Biology107
- Psychology76
- Economics50
- Physics48
- Business Studies:Single41
- History35
- Sociology29
- Geography27
- Computer Studies / Computing21
- English Language19
Subjects with at least 3 entries in 2022/23. Number shown next to each subject is the number of pupils who sat that A-level exam — a rough indicator of subject popularity at this school. Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed208
618
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
374 families put this school as their 1st choice (61% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- Asian58.5%
- White British26.1%
- Mixed5.0%
- White (other)1.8%
- Black1.2%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
9
Total schools
8
Oversubscribed
8
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Heckmondwike Grammar 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
High Street, Heckmondwike
Kirklees, WF16 0AH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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