Highbury Fields School
London, N5 1AR · Islington · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st of 9 secondary schools in Islington we can score, 10 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 9.6/10 against 319 of them, against 8.4/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 64.5 · 86 | 30% | 2.59 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.43 · 81 | 25% | 2.01 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 56.2 · 87 | 10% | 0.87 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Highbury Fields School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 61.9% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 57.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.43 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Homework Club, Musical theatre club, Rock band, Choir, and Orchestra. Sports include Sports Hall Athletics, while arts cover Piano, Voice, Strings, and Woodwind. Trips visit museums, art galleries, and geography sites, including a Year 12 Shadwell Basin Trip and Uni Fair. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 733 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 in the transition from Year 11 to Year 12? What specific support is available for students aiming for university places?
What Ofsted said about Highbury Fields School
Overview
Highbury Fields School continues to be an outstanding school, with leaders and staff maintaining "extremely high expectations for all aspects of school life." The report highlights a focus on the "holistic child," where pupils are described as proud, safe, and well cared for, with bullying being rare.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with careful sequencing of knowledge and the introduction of French to increase English Baccalaureate participation.
- Teachers use expert subject knowledge to explain new ideas, emphasising "subject-specific vocabulary" and checking prior learning before introducing new skills.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "well supported," achieving the same end points as peers through adapted teaching and targeted catch-up programmes.
- Leaders provide extensive careers education, including individual meetings with impartial advisers, helping pupils understand links between subjects and career options.
- Behaviour is excellent, with "low-level disruption in class" being very rare; pupils are "calm and considerate" and listen to others with respect.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff consistently using reporting systems, receiving regular training, and working closely with external agencies to ensure pupils receive extra help when needed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 51.4 |
| 2024/25 | 57.4 |
| 2025/26 | 56.2 |
| 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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