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High Tunstall College of Science

Hartlepool, TS26 0LQSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
2 Good · 2 Requires improvement
Jan 2025
Progress 8
-0.32
Below average
−20+2
Competition
1.4×
Oversubscribed
368 1st-choice / 269 places
Ranking
#2,290
of 3,141 nationally

About High Tunstall College of Science

High Tunstall College of Science is a large secondary school in Hartlepool, operating at near-full capacity with 1,396 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,394. The school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage: 28.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, compared with the national average of around 23%. Demand for places is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 755 applications for 269 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.81 to one. Of those, 368 were first-preference applications, and 268 first-preference offers were made, suggesting that while the school is popular locally, not every family who wants a place gets one. The school is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with no sixth form. Mark Tilling is the headteacher.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressElwick Road, Hartlepool, Hartlepool, TS26 0LQ
HeadteacherMark Tilling
Local AuthorityHartlepool
Number of Pupils1,396
Free School Meals (FSM)28.7%
School Capacity1,396 / 1,394 (100% full)

The full report on this school

What 143 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

28 Jan 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 25 Mar 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
Tennis CourtsICT SuiteScience LabsTheatrePlaying FieldsLibrarySixth Form CentreArt Studios

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

17

Sports

RoundersFootballRugbyCricketSwimmingMartial ArtsCross CountryBadmintonGymnasticsAthletics

Clubs & Activities

DebateOrchestraNewspaperGardeningModel United NationsScience ClubDuke of Edinburgh

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

Resourced Provision
AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyResourced ProvisionOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:25 – 15:00

Breakfast club

08:00-08:25

Source: htcs.org.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About High Tunstall College of Science

High Tunstall College of Science has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.