John F Kennedy Catholic School
Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2PH · Hertfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
44th of 78 secondary schools in Hertfordshire we can score, 82 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 827 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.9/10 among them, against 7.4/10 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 | 18 | 35% | 0.63 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 62.9 · 85 | 30% | 2.54 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.15 · 60 | 25% | 1.51 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 51.9 · 77 | 10% | 0.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
John F Kennedy Catholic School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.15 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 5.4 out of 10 among them, against 6.7 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,073 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,243. 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
Since the May 2026 inspection uses separate grades, which specific areas received the highest scores? How does the school support pupils to reach the national median in Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about John F Kennedy Catholic School
Overview
The report describes a school where "kindness is the golden thread" and pupils feel safe, valued, and well-prepared for their next steps. Leaders have created a "strong, inclusive culture" with high expectations for behaviour and learning, resulting in a calm environment where disruption is rare. While most pupils achieve well, particularly in English and mathematics, the report notes that teaching adaptations and sixth-form outcomes require further consistency.
Strengths
- Personal development is a "strong standard," with a "well-planned programme" helping pupils become "reflective and empathetic" through responsive PSHE and enrichment activities.
- Pupils enjoy "positive relationships with staff" based on mutual respect; bullying is "rare" and dealt with "swiftly and effectively."
- Careers education is a strength, ensuring pupils are "very well prepared for their next steps" through work experience and diverse opportunities.
- The curriculum is "ambitious and well planned," enabling pupils to build on prior knowledge and achieve well, including those with special educational needs.
- Leadership is "caring and committed," fostering a culture where staff feel "valued and known as individuals."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should continue to implement strategies to improve attendance for disadvantaged pupils, who currently do not attend as well as their peers.
- Leaders should ensure teachers "confidently and consistently implement adaptations to their teaching" based on pupils’ identified additional needs, as this is not yet embedded across the school.
- Leaders should use analysis of post-16 performance to inform curriculum adaptations and improve the consistency of assessment and challenge in sixth-form lessons.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.9 |
| 2024/25 | 47.9 |
| 2025/26 | 51.9 |
| 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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