Whitecross Hereford
Hereford, HR4 0RN · Herefordshire, County of · secondary school
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5th of 15 secondary schools in Herefordshire, County of we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 845 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.7/10 among them, against 3.9/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 40.7 · 39 | 30% | 1.18 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.3 · 27 | 25% | 0.68 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.1 · 70 | 10% | 0.70 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Whitecross Hereford overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023. In 2024/25, 41.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.3 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse 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 1.5 out of 10 among them, against 4.0 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Combined Cadet Force and work towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Year 8 students attend the Meet the Authors event at Hay Festival.
Getting in
The published school roll is 942 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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
How does the school support pupils to improve their progress scores, which are below the national baseline? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their attainment in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about Whitecross Hereford
Overview
The report describes a school where "senior leaders’ high aspirations permeate school life" and the motto of "Excellence for all – Excellence from all" is evident. Pupils "enjoy school and do well," benefiting from an "ambitious, broad and balanced" curriculum and positive relationships with staff. The inspection concludes that the school "no longer requires significant improvement," marking a recovery from a previous inadequate rating.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "logically sequenced," ensuring pupils, including disadvantaged and SEND students, "build up their knowledge over time."
- Teachers "use assessment very well to inform their teaching," quickly adjusting lessons to fill gaps in understanding.
- Pupils’ behaviour is "good," with lessons being "generally calm and free from disruption."
- Leaders place "great emphasis on pupils’ personal development," supporting mental health and offering a "wide-ranging offer" of extracurricular activities.
- Provision for early readers is strong, with "individualised intervention" helping pupils become proficient.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure additional adults provide "consistently effective support" to pupils with SEND, as current interventions are sometimes too early or too late, causing disengagement.
- Leaders should ensure pupils attend school frequently, as some remain "persistently absent," missing valuable learning time.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are "effective," with a "robust culture of and vigilance around safeguarding" and staff who "swiftly report any concerns."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.0 |
| 2024/25 | 46.5 |
| 2025/26 | 50.1 |
| 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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