Sir John Lawes School
Harpenden, AL5 4QP · Hertfordshire · secondary school
6th 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 441 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.9/10 among them, against 9.4/10 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% | 3.28 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2024/25 | 75.5 · 93 | 30% | 2.80 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.79 · 94 | 25% | 2.34 |
| Attainment 8 2024/25 | 62.8 · 94 | 10% | 0.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Get to know the school
How it's doing. In 2024/25, 75.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 62.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.79 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.9 out of 10 among them, against 9.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom. Pupils join clubs such as English Journalism, Upper School Debating, and National Magistrates Mock Trial. Sports include the Ryder’s Football Tournament and Ski Trip. Arts activities feature Shaking Up Shakespeare and Battle of the Bands. Trips go to Iceland, Normandy, and the USA. An after-school club is available.
Getting in. The school has 1356 pupils in a capacity of 1200, meaning it is over capacity by 156. The school is over its stated capacity, so places are competitive.
Worth asking on a visit. How does the school manage the pressure of being 156 pupils over capacity? What support is available for pupils who need to catch up on progress? How do you balance the wide range of trips with core curriculum time?
Written by AI from this school's published results, inspection record and its own website — not by Ofsted, the school, or SchoolsGPT staff. Every figure above comes from the sources on this page. Check anything that matters with the school.
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.
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