Northwood School
Northwood, HA6 1QN · Hillingdon · secondary school
Check the area around this school
2nd of 22 secondary schools in Hillingdon 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 — 9.7/10 against 896 of them, against 9.2/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 74.3 · 93 | 30% | 2.79 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.76 · 93 | 25% | 2.32 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 57.9 · 90 | 10% | 0.90 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Northwood School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 74.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 58.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.76 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in November 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Year 7 pupils take a RE trip to Bhaktivedanta Manor.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,044 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,080. 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
With 36 places currently available, how does the school manage class sizes for new Year 7 intakes? How does the RE curriculum extend learning beyond the Year 7 trip? What support structures are in place to maintain the high Progress 8 scores for students entering from diverse backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Northwood School
Overview
Northwood School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection, which judged the school outstanding for overall effectiveness. This ungraded inspection confirms that leaders continue to uphold high expectations, ensuring pupils thrive within a strong and caring community. The report highlights that the school successfully sustains its previous high standards across education, behaviour, and personal development.
Strengths
- Pupils’ behaviour is described as “exemplary,” with students being “polite and respectful” and “caring and supportive of each other.”
- Leaders maintain high academic standards, with pupils “typically achiev[ing] extremely well,” including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils.
- Teachers are “subject experts” who are skilled in adapting teaching to support and challenge all pupils, routinely checking learning to address misconceptions.
- The curriculum provides a “broad range of subjects in depth,” with extensive opportunities for personal development through extra-curricular activities, leadership roles, and careers guidance.
- Staff receive “ongoing high-quality training” and feel “valued and supported by leaders in managing their workload.”
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with pupils feeling safe and confident that concerns will be listened to and dealt with swiftly.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.7 |
| 2024/25 | 58.4 |
| 2025/26 | 57.9 |
| 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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