Classpot

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre

Reading, RG4 8LRSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Mar 2024
Progress 8
+0.25
Above average
−20+2
Competition
0.7×
Not oversubscribed
182 1st-choice / 245 places
Ranking
#943
of 3,141 nationally

About Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection, a significant improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2013. The school’s Progress 8 score of 0.25 is the standout exam metric here, placing it above the national average and well ahead of the Reading local authority average of 0.12. That score ranks Highdown third out of nine secondary schools in Reading, putting it in the top third locally. The school’s Attainment 8 score sits at 53.5, and 80.1% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. The Progress 8 banding is officially classified as ‘Above average’, and the school’s strongest subject areas are maths and the EBacc, both with a Progress 8 score of 0.41. English progress is more modest at 0.16, but the overall picture is of a school that is clearly adding value for its pupils compared with peers nationally.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressSurley Row, Reading, Reading, RG4 8LR
HeadteacherLaura Mathews
Local AuthorityReading
Number of Pupils1,545
Free School Meals (FSM)10.3%
School Capacity1,545 / 1,440 (107% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, 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

27 Mar 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Sixth Form Provision
Requires improvement

Latest monitoring visit (27 Mar 2024): School remains Good

Source: Ofsted, 2 Jun 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

10
Sports HallLibraryGymnasiumICT SuiteSwimming PoolScience LabsDining HallTheatreMusic RoomsSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

14

Sports

RoundersNetballAthleticsHockeyFootballBadmintonRugby

Clubs & Activities

DebateModel United NationsChoirCodingArt ClubDuke of EdinburghFilm Club

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

SEND Support

Resourced Provision
AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyResourced ProvisionMulti-SensoryOther

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.