Henlow Church of England Academy
69%
Capacity
617
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About Henlow Church of England Academy
Henlow Church of England Academy is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Central Bedfordshire community, welcoming children from age 9 to 16. The school has 617 pupils on roll, operating at 69% capacity.
Ofsted has rated Henlow Church of England Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Naomi Chalkley, it falls under Central Bedfordshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.23 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 43.5. Additionally, ranked 2089th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 8th out of 16 in Central Bedfordshire.
Henlow Church of England Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 3 applications for 1 places, making it 3.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 2 were first-preference applications.
Henlow Church of England Academy parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 80% recommending the school (134 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Henlow Church of England Academy include Playing Fields, Swimming Pool, Science Labs, Tennis Courts, Sports Hall, Music Rooms, Library, Theatre, Astro Turf, Sixth Form Centre, Dining Hall, Gymnasium, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rowing, Badminton, Netball, Cross Country and 2 more, as well as clubs including Orchestra, Science Club, Gardening, DofE and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 18.3%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire, Henlow Church of England Academy is one of the options available in the East of England 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 | 9 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Church Road, Henlow, Central Bedfordshire, SG16 6AN |
| Headteacher | Naomi Chalkley |
| Local Authority | Central Bedfordshire |
| Number of Pupils | 617 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 18.3% |
| School Capacity | 617 / 900 (69% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Apr 2025Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 8 Jun 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.23)
2089th of 3,141
Nationally
244th of 350
In East of England
8th of 16
In Central Bedfordshire
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.
Ofsted Parent View
134 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
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
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed1
3
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
2 families put this school as their 1st choice (67% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Henlow Church of England Academy
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
Church Road, Henlow
Central Bedfordshire, SG16 6AN
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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