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Sir John Lawes School
Manland Way, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 4QP, Hertfordshire
LocaleIQ Score
LocaleIQ Score
94.5 / 100
Top 6%
Better than 95% of all open schools in England. Composite of Ofsted, GCSE outcomes, and parent satisfaction.
Overview
Ofsted
Outstanding
Pupils
1,356
Capacity
1,200
Ages
11–18
Gender
Mixed
Occupancy
113%
Summary
With an Outstanding Ofsted rating and a GCSE Attainment 8 score in the top 6% nationally, this secondary school demonstrates strong academic performance, particularly with 87% of students achieving a grade 4 or higher in English and Maths. The school also boasts impressive university progression rates, with 83% of students moving on to higher education, including 40% attending top-third universities. Overall, it stands out as a high-performing institution in Hertfordshire, although limited data on specific subjects may be a consideration for some parents.
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Open area analysis →Ofsted inspection
Last inspected: 28 March 2023Quality Of Education: OutstandingPersonal Development: OutstandingBehaviour & Attitudes: OutstandingLeadership & Management: Outstanding
GCSE Results
| Metric | Value | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8Combined grade score across a pupil's best 8 GCSEs. Higher = stronger academic outcomes. National average ~46.7. | 62.8 | Top 6% UK |
| English & Maths — Standard pass (grade 4+)Share of pupils who achieved grade 4+ in both English and Maths. Grade 4 is the minimum threshold for most employers and sixth forms. National average ~64%. | 87% | Top 8% UK |
| English & Maths — Strong pass (grade 5+)Share of pupils achieving grade 5+ in both English and Maths. Required by many universities and competitive sixth-form programmes. National average ~44%. | 76% | Top 7% UK |
| EBacc — Entry rate% of pupils who sat GCSEs in the full EBacc suite: English, Maths, History or Geography, a language, and Sciences. Signals a broad academic curriculum. National average ~39%. | 52% | Top 14% UK |
| EBacc — Achievement (grade 5+)% of pupils who achieved grade 5+ across all EBacc subjects. Reflects both curriculum breadth and academic rigour. National average ~22%. | 46% | Top 14% UK |
University Destinations
| Metric | Value | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| Progression to university% of sixth-form leavers who went on to study a degree at a UK university. Includes all universities. National average ~55%. | 83% | Top 20% |
| Top-third universities% of leavers who went to a top-third university (Russell Group and equivalents — the most academically selective institutions). National average ~18%. | 40% | Top 20% |
Based on 167 leavers (DfE Destinations data, latest available year).
Pupil Ethnicity
White British63.7%
Asian Chinese6.7%
White Other5.5%
Mixed Other5.2%
Asian Indian3.5%
Other3.1%
Mixed W+Asian2.9%
Asian Other2.1%
Black African2.1%
Asian Pakistani1.3%
Asian Bangladeshi1.3%
Mixed W+B Carib.1.1%
Black Other0.4%
White Irish0.4%
Black Caribbean0.3%
Mixed W+B African0.2%
Gypsy/Roma0.1%
Location
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51.82267, -0.34596 · AL5 4QP
School details
Local authorityHertfordshire
RegionEast of England
URN137270
School typeAcademy converter
Websitewww.sjl.herts.sch.uk
Frequently asked questions
What is Sir John Lawes School rated by Ofsted?
Sir John Lawes School was rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted at its last inspection on 28 March 2023.
Is Sir John Lawes School a good school?
Sir John Lawes School scores 94.5/100 on the LocaleIQ index, placing it in the top 6% of all open schools in England. The score is a composite of Ofsted inspection results, GCSE outcomes, and parent satisfaction surveys.
How do pupils perform at Sir John Lawes School in GCSEs?
Sir John Lawes School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 62.8. 87% of pupils achieved grade 9–4 in English and Maths.
What are the best schools near AL5 4QP?
Use the LocaleIQ map to explore all schools near AL5 4QP with Ofsted ratings, GCSE results, and parent reviews overlaid. You can filter by Primary, Secondary, Nursery or College.