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Reviewed

St Aidan's Church of England High School

State school · Harrogate, HG2 8JR
  • Secondary
  • Co-ed
  • Ages 11-18
  • 2,043 pupils
We've reviewed this school • Unlock to access

An exceptional school with many of the characteristics of a high-achieving selective one, that also says on its homepage that it is 'proud of the 50 plus students who have a special educational need or educational health care plan and who thrive within the school'.

Why read our school review?

Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.

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Overview & data

Pupil numbers
2,043 ·
Sixth form numbers
725 ·
Religion
C of E
Local authority
North Yorkshire County Council

Headteacher

Headteacher

Siân Dover

Since September 2023, Siân Dover, previously principal of Oasis Academy Lister Park in Bradford. A geography and PE graduate, she was previously part of the leadership team that saw Nidderdale High School ranked within the top 100 schools in the

Entrance

Heavily oversubscribed. Complicated admissions policy a challenge to get your mind round (but school will help with applications if needed) and known to inspire pre-emptive pew perching: after looked after children and those with a sibling already at

Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Other 22 %
Where the number of students is less than 10, we cannot say where they've come from or where they are going to due to data protection rules.
Oatlands Community Junior School 15 %
Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School 10 %
Pannal Primary School 8 %
St Peter's Church of England Primary School 7 %
Willow Tree Community Primary School 7 %
Unknown 6 %
Where the school a student attended before or after this school is not known. These might be students who have come from or going to home schooling, independent schools, moving abroad etc.
St Robert's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy 3 %
Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School 2 %
Collingham Lady Elizabeth Hastings Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 2 %
Harrogate, Grove Road Community Primary School 2 %
Saltergate Junior School 2 %
Western Primary School 2 %
Hookstone Chase Primary School 2 %
Follifoot Church of England Primary School 1 %
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Harrogate, A Voluntary Academy 1 %
All Saints Church of England School 1 %
Spofforth Church of England Controlled Primary School 1 %
North Rigton Church of England Primary School 1 %
Rossett Acre Primary School 1 %
Birstwith Church of England Primary School 1 %
Green Hammerton Church of England Primary School 1 %
Data highlight

Exit

Great majority stay on for sixth form, the rest mainly to further education colleges. Very high percentage obtain their choice of university – huge range of higher education institute and subjects. Eighteen to Oxbridge in 2024, and 13 medics,

% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)

School
76%
LA avg.
67%
Eng. avg.
66%
Data highlight

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 2024, 34 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 86 per cent 9-4 in both maths and English; 32 per cent A*/A at A level (59 per cent A*-B).

% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
86%
LA avg.
68%
Eng. avg.
60%
Data highlight

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average points score (2024)

School
37.37
LA avg.
35.64
Eng. avg.
35.69
Data highlight

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

Excellent value added for all ability levels. Majority take separate sciences at GCSE; religious studies (compulsory) very strong and and popular; wide range offered, including joint business studies and economics, fine art and graphic communication,

Qualifications taken in 2024
  • A level
  • BTEC
  • EPQ
  • GCSE
  • VRQ
110
Number of teachers
19:1
Pupil to teacher ratio

Learning support & SEN

Outstanding, profoundly committed head of additional needs, who really does try to meet full range of needs and supports parents, too; around 40 learning assistants, good resources. All year 7s screened and information from parents and primary

3.5 %
Students with a SEN EHCP
1.7 %
Students with SEN support

Arts & extracurricular

Brilliant, wide-ranging music – bands, choirs, orchestras, around 20 ensembles, with input from older students. Annual junior music residential; Evelyn Glennie due to give drumming masterclass; worship band, Aidan's Flame; much individual prowess on

Sport

Despite limited facilities – one Astro (upgrade on wish list), gym and sports hall, supplemented by local external ones – pupils took part in more than 400 sport competitions last year and reached national finals in a wide range of sports, including

Ethos & heritage

Located near the centre of Harrogate in North Yorkshire; opened 1969, pleasant white main building with some spacious modern classrooms and lots of fresh white corridors. Part of a multi-academy trust with a CE primary. Three outstanding Ofsteds;

Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline

Usual form tutor and heads of year structure. Mature behaviour promoted through rewards, relationships, working with parents and example set by older students rather than punishment. Bullying in school not seen as a problem by students; cyber

Pupils & parents

Mostly white middle class – Harrogate has a low percentage of ethnic minority. Polite, open students described as 'very biddable and pleasant' by a teacher, 'The kids have a really good moral compass' (parent); all staff with children send them here,

2,043
Number of pupils

The last word

An exceptional school with many of the characteristics of a high-achieving selective one, that also says on its homepage that it is 'proud of the 50 plus students who have a special educational need or educational health care plan and who thrive

Inspection reports

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Outstanding

Full inspection: Inadequate

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Good
Leadership and management Inadequate
Sixth form provision Good

This school has not provided any information yet

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Contact the school

Address

Oatlands Drive
Harrogate
HG2 8JR
Get directions

Telephone: 01423 885814

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.staidans.co.uk/

Local authority: North Yorkshire County Council

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School data & information St Aidan's Church of England High School Oatlands Drive, Harrogate, HG2 8JR
2,043 Pupil numbers
984/1059 Pupil numbers boy/girls split
725 Sixth form numbers
5 % % of pupils eligible for free school meals
6 % Pupils whose first language is not English
19:1 Pupil to teacher ratio
110 Number of teachers
20 Number of teaching assistants
Our review contains additional results data reported to us by St Aidan's Church of England High School and is updated annually. See the review

% achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)

School
86%
LA avg.
68%
Eng. avg.
60%

What is this?

This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.

Average overall GCSE score (attainment 8) (2024)

School
57.90
LA avg.
46.80
Eng. avg.
44.20

What is this?

Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Improvement rates in core subjects (progress 8) (2024)

0.72 Score Well above average
≈ 16% of schools in England

What is a progress score?

This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. This is based on results in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.

Subjects entered at GCSE level (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCSE (9-1) Full Course 109 5
Religious Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 241 6
Physics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 199 6
Physical Education/Sports Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 70 6
Music GCSE (9-1) Full Course 22 7
Media/Film/Tv Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 34 6
Mathematics GCSE (9-1) Full Course 250 6
History GCSE (9-1) Full Course 142 6
German GCSE (9-1) Full Course 34 7
Geography GCSE (9-1) Full Course 128 6
French GCSE (9-1) Full Course 79 6
English Literature GCSE (9-1) Full Course 240 6
English Language GCSE (9-1) Full Course 251 6
Drama & Theatre Studies GCSE (9-1) Full Course 17 6
Design & Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 63 7
Dance GCSE (9-1) Full Course 10 7
D&T Food Technology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 50 8
Computer Studies/Computing GCSE (9-1) Full Course 29 6
Chemistry GCSE (9-1) Full Course 198 6
Business Studies:Single GCSE (9-1) Full Course 84 6
Biology GCSE (9-1) Full Course 198 7
Art & Design (Graphics) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 15 5
Art & Design (Fine Art) GCSE (9-1) Full Course 19 6

% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)

School
23%
LA avg.
21%
Eng. avg.
20%

What is this?

Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.

Average points score (2024)

School
37.37
LA avg.
35.64
Eng. avg.
35.69

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.

Subjects entered at 16 to 18 (2024)

Pupils attending this school entered exams in these subjects. The list only includes qualifications approved for inclusion in the performance measures. The subjects and qualifications on offer at this school may change year on year. For a full list of subjects and qualifications on offer at this school, visit the school or college website or contact the school directly. Find out more

Subject Qualification Entries Avg. grade
Spanish GCE A level 14 A
Sociology GCE A level 65 B
Religious Studies GCE A level 43 B
Psychology GCE A level 125 B
Physics GCE A level 77 B
Physical Education / Sports Studies GCE A level 23 B
Music Technology GCE A level 7 B
Media/Film/Tv Studies GCE A level 38 B
Mathematics (Further) GCE A level 39 A
Mathematics GCE A level 141 A
History GCE A level 77 B
Government and Politics GCE A level 52 B
Geography GCE A level 109 B
French GCE A level 17 A
English Literature GCE A level 34 B
English Language and Literature GCE A level 23 B
English Language GCE A level 32 B
Economics GCE A level 64 B
Drama and Theatre Studies GCE A level 18 B
Design and Technology (Textiles Technology) GCE A level 16 B
Design and Technology (Product Design) GCE A level 16 B
Dance GCE A level 8 A
Computer Studies / Computing GCE A level 19 B
Chemistry GCE A level 107 A
Business Studies:Single GCE A level 56 B
Biology GCE A level 112 B
Art and Design (Photography) GCE A level 14 B
Art and Design (Graphics) GCE A level 7 A
Art and Design (Fine Art) GCE A level 25 B
Ancient History GCE A level 13 B

Entry and exit data

Here we report figures on pupils moving between schools at the usual entry and exit points, as well as student destinations into higher education. We publish publically available data for state schools. For independent schools, The Good Schools Guide collects data from its prep schools as to where their pupils go on to. Find out more

Our review contains additional entry and exit data reported to us and is updated annually. See the review

Year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 12 entry (average 2020-2022)

Year 11 exit (average 2020-2022)

Year 13 exit

SEN overview

St Aidan's Church of England High School is a mainstream school. The school may provide support for students with special educational needs as detailed below. If you require more information on conditions the school can support, we encourage you to contact the school directly.

SEN statement

Provided by the school and not part of our review

St. Aidan's has an outstanding reputation in the local area for care and concern for the less able and others with special educational needs. The school has a Down's syndrome child, a number with acute hearing problems and several with Asperger's at differing levels. There are 38 children in the school with a statement of special educational need.

Nov 09.

3.5 %
Students with a SEN EHCP UK mainstream school avg. 2.7%
1.7 %
Students with SEN support UK mainstream school avg. 12.9%

SEN conditons supported

Schools report the conditions they might be able to support. Please note, this may not be a complete list. Find out more.

Conditions (Might cover/be referred to as) Provision
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Social skills Yes
HI - Hearing Impairment
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty Learning needs
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment Sensory processing
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic, Tics, Tourettes
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health Anxiety, Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication Selective mutism
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty Complex needs
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Auditory processing, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting Yes
VI - Visual Impairment Special facilities for Visually Impaired

Ofsted reports

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer makes an overall effectiveness judgement in inspections of state-funded schools.

Full inspection: Good

You can read full reports on the Ofsted website

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Leadership and management Good
Sixth form provision Outstanding

Full inspection: Inadequate

Personal development Good
Quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Good
Leadership and management Inadequate
Sixth form provision Good
Our data explained
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