Sir John Lawes School
Academy converter11-18Sixth formFaith priority
Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QP
Headteacher: Mr Philip NewberySchool website ↗Pupils: 1,356 (capacity: 1200)Part of SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Ofsted Outstanding
Inspected March 2023
Oversubscribed
68% of first-choice applicants offered a place
62.8
Attainment 8 score
Outstanding
Inspected March 2023
68%
First-choice offer rate
Oversubscribed
Latest data: 2024/25
Ofsted Rating Inspected 28 March 2023Full report ↗
Outstanding
From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections.
Rated Outstanding across all inspected areas — Quality of Teaching, Behaviour, Pupils' Development and Leadership.
GCSE Results (2024/25)
GCSE results for Year 11 pupils. National averages shown for comparison.
Progress 8 scores for 2024/25 are not used for accountability purposes following the KS2 assessment disruption. Treat with caution.
Attainment 8 scoreⓘAttainment 8Average grade across a pupil's best 8 GCSEs, including English and MathsEach GCSE grade is converted to a points score (grade 9 = 9 points, grade 1 = 1 point). The national average is around 46.
62.8
English & Maths Grade 5+ⓘEnglish & Maths — Grade 5+ (Strong Pass)% of pupils achieving at least a grade 5 in both English and MathsGrade 5 is a "strong pass". Many sixth forms and universities expect grade 5 in English and Maths.
75.5%
English & Maths Grade 4+ⓘEnglish & Maths — Grade 4+ (Standard Pass)% of pupils achieving at least a grade 4 in both English and MathsGrade 4 is the minimum "standard pass". Employers and colleges often require grade 4 in English and Maths.
87.0%
Attainment 8 — school vs national
020406080
English Baccalaureate (EBacc)ⓘEBacc Entry% of pupils who entered the English Baccalaureate — a set of GCSE subjects covering English, Maths, Sciences, a Language, and HumanitiesEBacc entry keeps academic options open post-16. It is not a separate qualification.
Pupils entered for EBacc52.1%
EBacc Grade 4+45.8%
EBacc Grade 5+40.1%
EBacc average point score5.74
Admissions
Faith priority — This school has a faith-based admissions priority (None).
Year 7 places offered
183
Total applications
704
1st preference applications
256
Families who got their first choice
68.4%
⚠ Applications exceeded places last year
Historical distance cut-off data is not available for this school. Contact the admissions authority for oversubscription criteria details.
This school has a sixth form (Post-16 provision). Post-16 destination data coming soon.
Wellbeing & Context
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SEN supportⓘSEN Support% of pupils receiving SEN (Special Educational Needs) support without a formal planThese pupils need extra help but do not yet have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
9.4%
Without an EHCP
Pupils with EHCPⓘEducation, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)% of pupils with a formal EHCP — a legal plan for pupils with significant additional needs
1.6%
Education, Health and Care Plan
Total pupils
1,356
46% girls · 54% boys
Location
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Historical Results
Results Over Time
View raw year-by-year data
| Year | Attainment 8 | Progress 8 | Eng & Maths 4+ | EBacc entry % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015/16 | 57.7 | +0.3 | - | 56.0% |
| 2016/17 | 54.8 | +0.3 | 81.0% | 55.0% |
| 2017/18 | 58.8 | +0.5 | 84.0% | 48.0% |
| 2018/19 | 61.0 | +0.6 | 88.0% | 58.0% |
| 2023/24 | - | - | - | - |
| 2024/25 | 62.8 | - | 87.0% | 52.1% |