St Hild's Church of England School

About St Hild's Church of England School

St Hild's Church of England School in Hartlepool received a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted in its most recent graded inspection in March 2024, a notable step up from its previous Inadequate rating in 2019. The inspection report shows real progress in key areas: behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, were both rated Good, while leadership and management and quality of education remain Requires Improvement. The most telling academic metric is the school's Progress 8 score of -1.2, which is classified as well below average. This means that, on average, pupils achieved over a grade less per subject across their eight best GCSEs compared with pupils nationally with similar starting points. The school ranks fifth out of five secondary schools in Hartlepool on this measure, placing it in the bottom 100th percentile locally and the 98th percentile nationally.

Looking at the raw exam results, St Hild's Attainment 8 score sits at 32.8, well below the national average of around 46.5. The basics measure shows that 38.6% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths, but only 15.2% reached the higher grade 5 threshold. No pupils entered the English Baccalaureate suite of subjects, which is unusual and reflects a curriculum that does not prioritise that particular combination. The school's Progress 8 score is significantly lower than the Hartlepool local authority average of -0.51, and it trails behind its nearest peers: Dyke House Sports and Technology College (-0.04), High Tunstall College of Science (-0.32), and Manor Community Academy (-0.4). For families prioritising academic outcomes, these figures suggest the school is still in the early stages of its improvement journey.

The school serves 617 pupils against a capacity of 991, and 53.3% are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. It is oversubscribed for Year 7 entry in 2025/26, with 185 applications for 114 places and 74 first-preference offers. Facilities include science labs, a sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, music rooms, and a chapel, though there is no sixth form. SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties, autism, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities. The school offers a range of clubs including orchestra, eco club, coding, and film club, plus sports such as rowing, rugby, and cross country. St Hild's will suit families who value the Church of England ethos and are looking for a school that has shown clear improvement in behaviour and personal development, but who are realistic about the current academic attainment levels.

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