Horsforth School
Leeds, LS18 5RF · Leeds · secondary school
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16th of 45 secondary schools in Leeds we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 8.6/10 against 756 of them, against 8.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 74.6 · 93 | 30% | 2.79 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.4 · 79 | 25% | 1.97 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 60.1 · 92 | 10% | 0.92 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Horsforth School overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2023. In 2024/25, 62.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 57.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.4 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better 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 7.6 out of 10 among them, against 8.3 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,837 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,865. 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 steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Horsforth School
Overview
Horsforth School continues to be a good school, maintaining high standards since its previous inspection. The report highlights an inclusive ethos where pupils benefit from a well-constructed curriculum and skilled teaching, resulting in excellent progress and high attendance. Leaders have established a strong culture of respect, ensuring that disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs are supported effectively.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "effective and inclusive," offering an "expansive choice of courses" that prepares pupils well for future careers and aspirations.
- Pupils make "excellent progress" through a "well-structured and sequenced" curriculum, supported by "precise and regular assessment."
- There is a "strong culture of respect" with consistently high attendance; pupils are "courteous and polite" and behave well.
- The school provides an "extensive programme of personal development," including mental health support and diverse enrichment activities like robotics and charity work.
- Staff feel "well supported by leaders" and benefit from "plentiful training opportunities" to develop their expertise.
Areas to improve
- On some occasions, teaching activities do not encourage pupils to "think or discuss ideas in sufficient depth," meaning they do not routinely develop a "more complex understanding of some topics."
- The school should ensure pupils are encouraged to "consistently discuss and explore concepts as thoroughly as possible" to avoid missing opportunities for thorough understanding.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 55.8 |
| 2024/25 | 57.3 |
| 2025/26 | 60.1 |
| 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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