Ages 
In the words of one parent, ‘live in Harpenden and pay for private school? You must be mad.’ Excellent teaching, commitment to the arts and sport and a genuinely exciting co-curricular programme, all wrapped in a positive culture that wins the hearts and minds of staff and pupils, supported by an aspirational parent body. A winning formula.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,380 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 363 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire County Council
- Area guides
Headteacher
Head
Mr Phil Newbery
Since 2021, Philip Newbery. Educated at Charles Darwin School in Kent and De Montfort University, Bedford (now teacher training faculty at University of Bedfordshire) where he took a four-year teaching degree. Has taught at state-maintained schools
Entrance
‘You get what you’re given in Harpenden,’ one parent told us, but no-one’s complaining. Non-selective and oversubscribed (276 first-preference applicants for the 196 places in year 7 in the year we visited), the usual priority admissions rankings
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around 75 per cent stay for sixth form and achieve exceptionally well, with over 90 per cent getting their first choice of university or apprenticeship destination. Forty per cent to Russell Group - Nottingham, Liverpool, Leeds and Birmingham current
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2025, 47 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 77 per cent 9-5 in both maths and English. At A level, 43 per cent A*/A at A level (75 per cent A*-B); average BTEC grade was distinction.
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
If you live in Harpenden there is no bad outcome on National Offer Day. But for what it’s worth, SJL sits in second place of this high performing heap, with the average grade a B and a target of B+ firmly in head’s sights. It’s ‘cool to be
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
Parents say ‘school goes out of its way’ to support pupils with SEND. Just over 12.5 per cent on register, with 20 EHCPs and more applications in the pipeline. Full-time SENDCo collaborates with others across the consortium; in-house educational
Arts & extracurricular
Music a standout department in the school ‘and in the town’, say parents. Head: ‘you won’t find a better state school for music.’ The department was certainly alive when we wandered through during lunch hour. A sixth form boy (set to read maths at
Sport
Sporting curriculum kept deliberately broad: ‘Our goal is to help pupils find at least one sport they want to continue after the age of 18’. Options include trampolining, fitness, netball, hockey and lacrosse with rugby, football (crowned district
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1939 as The Manland School, thanks to a pledge by John Bennett Lawes, founder of Rothamsted Research (one of the oldest agricultural research institutions in the world and arguably Harpenden’s most famous export) to educate the youth of
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Things get off on the right foot with year 7 joiners visited in their primary school and an optional camp over summer holidays. Most have visited many times prior to joining – ‘They walk along and watch dress rehearsals for shows.’ ‘There’s a very
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Our Policy is ‘Off and Away’. You do not need a phone at SJL.
Pupils & parents
Head quick to point out that SJL is ‘a true comprehensive’. Harpenden is notoriously affluent - it’s undeniable as you approach the school via wide avenues of wisteria festooned houses with serious cars parked out front. But there are less affluent
The last word
In the words of one parent, ‘live in Harpenden and pay for private school? You must be mad.’ Excellent teaching, commitment to the arts and sport and a genuinely exciting co-curricular programme, all wrapped in a positive culture that wins the hearts
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
