John Whitgift Academy

About John Whitgift Academy

Of the 62 parents who responded to Ofsted's Parent View survey between September 2024 and September 2025, 84% said they would recommend John Whitgift Academy to other parents. That's a strong signal, and it's backed up by the school's popularity: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 334 applications for 221 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.51. 215 of those applications were first-preference choices, meaning most families who wanted a place put the school at the top of their list. Parents were particularly positive about the school's expectations and activities. 95% agreed that the school has high expectations for their child, with 56% strongly agreeing. 97% agreed that their child can take part in clubs and activities, and 96% agreed there's a good range of subjects available. On safety and happiness, 89% agreed their child feels safe, and 85% agreed their child is happy. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2025 rated behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, as Outstanding, with leadership and management and quality of education both rated Good.

Academically, John Whitgift Academy is performing well above the local average. Its Progress 8 score of 0.22 means pupils achieve nearly a quarter of a grade more per subject than students with similar starting points nationally. That's the highest Progress 8 score of any school in North East Lincolnshire, ranking it first out of 11 schools in the local authority. For context, the local authority average Progress 8 score is -0.57, so the academy is significantly ahead of its peers. The Attainment 8 score sits at 46.9, and 65.6% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths, compared with 42.9% achieving the stronger grade 5 or above. The EBacc average point score is 4.18, with 44.8% of pupils entering the EBacc combination of subjects. The school's Progress 8 banding is rated as Average nationally, but within the local context it's a clear standout. The previous Ofsted inspection in 2020 also rated the school Good across all categories, so this is a sustained track record of solid performance.

The school is a mixed secondary for ages 11 to 16 with no sixth form, and it currently has 1,055 pupils against a capacity of 998, so it's operating slightly above its official capacity. Facilities are generous for a state school, including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, tennis courts, playing fields, music rooms, art studios, and a library. There's a wide range of sports on offer, from rugby and football to rowing and martial arts, plus clubs like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Eco Club, and Book Club. The school supports a broad range of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health support. 18% of responding parents said their child has SEND, and of those, 64% agreed the school gives them the support they need. With 37.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse intake. This is a good fit for families who want a well-equipped, oversubscribed local school with strong academic outcomes and a clear focus on behaviour and personal development.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About John Whitgift Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents