Sir John Lawes School
Harpenden, AL5 4QP · Hertfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th 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 443 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.6/10 among them, against 9.3/10 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 | 71.9 · 91 | 30% | 2.74 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.79 · 94 | 25% | 2.34 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 63.9 · 95 | 10% | 0.95 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sir John Lawes School overview
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 starting 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 8.0 out of 10 among them, against 9.4 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the English Journalism Club, Upper School Debating, and Eco Schools club. They participate in the Ryder’s Football Tournament and Ski Trip. Arts activities include 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 published school roll is 1,373 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How do the debating and journalism clubs integrate into the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Sir John Lawes School
Overview
The report describes life at the school as exceptional, driven by the values of ‘Achievement, Care and Excellence’. Leaders have systematically established a school of ‘exceptional quality’, where pupils are ‘scholars, leaders and mentors’ who are overwhelmingly positive about their community. The inspection confirms that the school maintains its previous outstanding status across all evaluated aspects.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘highly ambitious’ and ‘well-designed’, with teachers expertly delivering key knowledge and addressing misconceptions to build on previous learning.
- Pupils demonstrate ‘consistently positive manners’ and ‘excellent behaviour’, actively calling out poor behaviour and showing genuine consideration for others.
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is ‘excellent’, with highly effective, tailored support that ensures these pupils make ‘very good progress’.
- Reading is a ‘top priority’, supported by effective interventions and a library central to encouraging pupils to ‘read for enjoyment’.
- The school offers an ‘extraordinary choice of clubs, trips and opportunities’, including an extensive leadership programme where sixth-form students act as mentors.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders maintaining a ‘relentless focus on the safety and well-being of each child’ and staff trained to spot risks.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 62.3 |
| 2024/25 | 62.8 |
| 2025/26 | 63.9 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of AL5 4QP, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT