Harrogate High School
Harrogate, HG1 4AP · North Yorkshire · secondary school
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37th of 41 secondary schools in North Yorkshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 2.7/10 against 648 of them, against 2.2/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 13 | 35% | 0.44 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.8 · 27 | 30% | 0.80 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.46 · 18 | 25% | 0.44 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.5 · 17 | 10% | 0.17 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harrogate High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 31.3% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.46 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, SHINE, Brilliant Club Scholars’ Programme, and National Citizenship Service. The school offers instrumental and vocal tuition, drama and dance productions, and music competitions. Educational visits include local, national, and international trips, plus a Year 8 residential at Newby. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 579 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to
What Ofsted said about Harrogate High School
Overview
Harrogate High School is described as a welcoming and inclusive environment where leaders have driven effective change. The report highlights significant improvements in teaching quality, behaviour, and attendance, creating a culture where pupils feel safe and supported. While progress is evident, the school continues to work on raising academic achievement and attendance rates to meet national standards.
Strengths
- Teaching has "improved significantly," with staff using subject knowledge well and checking prior knowledge to support learning.
- Pupils behave well, demonstrating "positive attitudes to their learning" within a calm and orderly environment.
- An "inclusive culture" is fostered, with robust systems supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
- The personal, social, health and economic curriculum has been "significantly strengthened," helping pupils understand topics like online safety and consent.
- Leaders model "care, compassion and commitment," ensuring staff feel supported and pupils know who to approach with concerns.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "intensify actions to further develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding to improve outcomes in national assessments."
- Leaders should "continue to develop their work to improve pupils' attendance, including for disadvantaged pupils."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed to ensure pupils feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 36.1 |
| 2024/25 | 39.1 |
| 2025/26 | 39.5 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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