Heritage High School

About Heritage High School

Around three-quarters of parents who responded to the most recent Parent View survey would recommend Heritage High School to other families, a solid signal that the school is meeting the expectations of its local community. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with 951 pupils on roll against a stated capacity of 220, which suggests strong local demand for places. This is a mixed, non-denominational secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, located in Bolsover, Derbyshire. It does not have a sixth form, so students move on elsewhere after Year 11. The headteacher is Debbie Elsdon. The school was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection, and it has held that rating across both its recent inspections. The school's facilities are notably broad for a state secondary, including a swimming pool, theatre, chapel, sports hall, tennis courts, and dedicated art and music rooms.

Academically, the picture is more mixed. In the 2023/24 exam results, the school's Attainment 8 score was 9, which is well below the national average of around 46.5. The EBacc average point score was 0.58, and no pupils entered the EBacc combination of subjects. The basics measure — the proportion of pupils achieving a grade 5 or above in both English and maths — was 0%, as was the proportion achieving a grade 4 or above. Progress 8 data was not published for the school, so it is not possible to say how much value the school adds compared with pupils nationally. For context, the Derbyshire local authority average Progress 8 score is -0.11, which is slightly below the national average. The school's results place it well behind its top local peers, such as St Mary's Catholic High School and The Ecclesbourne School, which have higher ranking scores.

For families considering Heritage High School, the practical context is important. The school is heavily oversubscribed, so securing a place may be competitive and will depend on the local admissions criteria. The school offers a wide range of sports, including rugby, rowing, cross country, and gymnastics, plus clubs such as orchestra, drama, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Facilities like a swimming pool and theatre are unusual for a state secondary and could be a real draw for families who value extracurricular breadth. There is no nursery or sixth form provision, so parents will need to plan for post-16 options elsewhere. The school's SEND provision is not detailed in the available data, but given its Good Ofsted rating, it is likely to have appropriate support in place. This school will suit families who prioritise a strong community feel and wide-ranging activities over top-tier academic outcomes.

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