Hereford Cathedral School A GSG School
- Hereford Cathedral School
Old Deanery
The Cathedral Close
Hereford
HR1 2NG - Head: Dr Michael Gray
- T 01432 363506
- E admissions@herefordcs.com
- W www.herefordcs.com
- A mainstream independent school for pupils aged from 11 to 19 with a linked junior school
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Herefordshire
- Pupils: 560; sixth formers: 126
- Religion: Christian
- Fees: Day £16,071 - £16,869; Boarding £29,049 pa
- Open days: September/November and visitor mornings throughout year
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- ISI report: View the ISI report
- Linked schools: Hereford Cathedral Junior School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
One of the oldest schools in the UK – its origins are entwined with those of the city's cathedral. Reputation for musical excellence is well deserved and cited by many parents as a deciding factor. In all the lessons we saw – maths, English, chemistry – technology was being employed with skill and creativity – adding real value but not dominating teaching and learning. Prelude to lunch with the boarders was a 20-minute minibus ride into deepest...
What the school says...
A message from the Headmaster:
Hereford Cathedral School is one of the UK’s leading co-educational day and boarding schools; pupils here are happy, purposeful, and fulfilled. We deliver outstanding education which both stretches and supports each individual, where pupils feel valued for who they are, and where they engage with an incredible range of music, sport and other opportunities, for which we have a national and global reputation.
Pupils at Hereford Cathedral School achieve impressive examination success – this year over a quarter of grades at A-Level were A*; they go on to take up places at the world’s leading universities, such as Oxbridge and Russell Group, as well as highly competitive degree apprenticeship pathways. Additionally, our young people thrive in the world of work and in wider society because of the emphasis that we put on character education, framed within our Christian values, equipping them for a life of leadership and service.
As one of the oldest schools in the world, likely dating back to the second half of the 7th century, we have a long and venerable history. Yet our eyes are firmly fixed on the future, as we endeavour to deliver a world-class education which ensures that all pupils are real-world ready. Our digital strategy, HCS Diploma, and Futures Department are indicative of our innovative curriculum and ambitious pedagogy. I look forward to meeting you and sharing more about what we are doing to deliver a sector-leading education in the beautiful surroundings of our Cathedral Close. A warm welcome awaits.
Dr Michael Gray ...Read more
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
Choir school - substantial scholarships and bursaries usually available for choristers.
Sports
Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.
Rowing
Fencing
What The Good Schools Guide says
Headmaster
Since 2021, Dr Michael Gray, BA, MA, PhD. Joined from Harrow School where he spent eight years, starting as a politics teacher, then head of politics and finally becoming director of studies. Prior to that he taught history and politics at Halliford School and St Edward’s, Oxford. This is his first headship.
Educated in the state system it was an influential history teacher who ‘ignited his passion for the subject’ and he went on to gain first-class honours in history from King’s College London, remaining in London for his MA, PGCE and PhD (all from UCL Institute of Education). ‘I love studying,’ he says – he’s currently learning Swahili. Had ‘never set foot in an independent school’ before his PGCE placement at King’s College School Wimbledon, ‘It was a huge influence,...
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Overall school performance (for comparison or review only)
Results by exam and subject
Subject results
Entry/Exit
Special Education Needs
Hereford Cathedral school is a selective secondary school, whose pupils are in the average and above-average ability ranges. Learning Support is provided for those pupils whom our screening procedures show to be in need of additional help with reading, spelling or maths, usually provided in small groups. Problems with organisation and handwriting are also addressed. Occasional help is given in other curriculum areas to pupils who are referred by their teachers.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder | Y |
| Aspergers | Y |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders | Y |
| CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia | |
| Dyscalculia | |
| Dysgraphia | |
| Dyslexia | Y |
| Dyspraxia | Y |
| English as an additional language (EAL) | |
| Genetic | Y |
| Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory | |
| Has SEN unit or class | |
| HI - Hearing Impairment | |
| Hospital School | |
| Mental health | Y |
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty | |
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment | |
| Natspec Specialist Colleges | |
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability | |
| Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | |
| PD - Physical Disability | |
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty | |
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health | Y |
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication | |
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty | |
| Special facilities for Visually Impaired | |
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty | Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment |
Who came from where
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moor Park | 2023 | 10 | 3 | (2 academic scholarships; 1 art scholarship) |
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