The Bishop's Stortford High School
Bishop's Stortford, CM23 4SH · Hertfordshire · secondary school
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19th 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 303 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.3/10 among them, against 8.2/10 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 | 72.6 · 92 | 30% | 2.75 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.23 · 67 | 25% | 1.68 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 58.8 · 91 | 10% | 0.91 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Bishop's Stortford High School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2023. In 2024/25, 69.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 60.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.23 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.2 out of 10 among them, against 8.2 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join clubs such as Running, House Drama, and House Quiz. Sports include Rugby, Football, Cricket, and Athletics. Arts activities feature a Music Festival and House Drama. Trips include language exchanges to Germany and France, a Geography trip to Dorset, a History trip to Berlin, a Cricket Tour to Sri Lanka, a Rugby tour of South Africa, a Ski Trip to Austria, and a Y7 Bushcraft trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,279 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,211. 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
What Ofsted said about The Bishop's Stortford High School
Overview
The Bishop's Stortford High School continues to be an outstanding school, delivering a high-quality education where pupils achieve highly. The report highlights a "broad and ambitious curriculum" expertly delivered by staff, fostering a community defined by the ‘black and gold spirit’ and exemplary behaviour.
Strengths
- Pupils are "articulate and express their opinions in a thoughtful and mature manner," responding well to challenges in lessons.
- Teachers are "precise in their explanations," ensuring pupils use subject terminology deftly and produce excellent written work.
- There is a strong culture of scholarship and reading for pleasure, with effective support programmes ensuring pupils with gaps in knowledge "catch up quickly."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have "access to the same ambitious curriculum as their peers" through adept adaptations by staff.
- Sixth-form students receive high-level support, exploring complex material and benefiting from teachers’ willingness to go ‘above and beyond’.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff remaining up to date on training and leaders working effectively with external agencies to support pupils and families.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.1 |
| 2024/25 | 60.2 |
| 2025/26 | 58.8 |
| 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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