Henlow Church of England Academy
Henlow, SG16 6AN · Central Bedfordshire · secondary school
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14th of 16 secondary schools in Central Bedfordshire we can score, 27 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 890 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.8/10 among them, against 2.3/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 29.5 · 15 | 46% | 0.68 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.23 · 32 | 38% | 1.25 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.0 · 24 | 15% | 0.37 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Henlow Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 36.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.23 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2 out of 10 among them, against 3.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs including Boomwhackers, Young Voices, Board Games, Henlow Harmony, Dance, Film Production, Gymnastics, and the School Newspaper. Sports options include Cross Country Running, Cheerleading, Rugby, Football, Netball, Basketball, and Trampolining. Arts and music activities feature the Orchestra, Origami, Ukulele, and a Reading Club. Trips have included visits to Kingswood, Poland, France, and a ski trip. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 599 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 strategies
What Ofsted said about Henlow Church of England Academy
Overview
Henlow Church of England Academy is described as having a “friendly and inclusive culture” where pupils feel safe and valued. The inspection found that the school provides a high-quality education, with pupils achieving at least as well as others nationally by the end of Year 11. Leaders have successfully redesigned the curriculum to support the school’s extended age range, fostering strong personal development and positive behaviour.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “logically sequenced,” with key knowledge revisited in different contexts to help pupils remember more over time.
- Staff identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities “promptly” and support them effectively to learn alongside peers.
- The school promotes a “love of reading,” with a well-used library and effective catch-up support for early readers.
- Pupils benefit from a well-implemented careers education offer and enjoy a wide range of clubs and activities, such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
- Relationships with parents and carers are “typically positive,” and staff appreciate the focus on their workload and well-being.
Areas to improve
- Staff should use information about pupils to match learning activities more closely to their abilities, ensuring those who could achieve more are moved on quickly enough.
- The school must ensure teachers are confident in delivering the PSHE programme so pupils understand the important links across different strands of their learning.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.5 |
| 2024/25 | 42.7 |
| 2025/26 | 41.0 |
| 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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