Higham Lane School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Outstanding

Shanklin Drive, Nuneaton, CV10 0BJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Higham Lane School is a secondary school in Nuneaton for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 284 schools in Warwickshire. It ranks 2nd of 8 secondary schools in Nuneaton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in May 2019.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 1 May 2019, report published 13 June 2019

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 May 2025

A warm welcome awaits pupils at Higham Lane School. They meet the school's high expectations with exemplary manners. Politeness is second nature. Pupils hold doors open, greeting staff and visitors with a smile. Their respectful conduct sets a happy tone. Pupils' attendance is excellent. They arrive on time, ready to learn. They thrive in key stages 3 and 4. In the sixth form, students shine. Pupils take feedback seriously and strive to improve. Most pupils secure exceptional achievements. They are well prepared to access education, employment, or training pathways after leaving school. Disadvantaged pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), thrive, especially when staff make suitable adjustments for them. Pupils are keen readers. The school's well-stocked library, with books matching pupils' interests and needs, is a popular spot. Pupils enjoy reading in this welcoming space. Pupils' personal development matters here, with an array of extra-curricular activities to choose from. This includes drumming, drama, code-breaking and charity fundraising. Sixth-form students foster valuable working relationships through mentoring younger pupils and helping others. Some complete the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. One recent Gold Award recipient was honoured at Buckingham Palace. This culture of giving back shapes pupils' character, extending well beyond school.

What the school should improve

  • Occasionally, staff do not make the necessary adaptations to support pupils with SEND. As a result, a small number of pupils with SEND do not access the curriculum as well as they could. The school and trust should ensure they support staff to adapt their teaching for pupils with SEND consistently well so all pupils can access the full curriculum.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

242 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score52.3

52.3, 6.2 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths61.6%

61.6%, 16.2 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths77.7%

77.7%, 12.9 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc82.2%

82.2%, 41.7 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.82

4.82, 0.73 above the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

98 students

Average point score per A level entry37.08

37.08, 2.08 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,516 pupils on roll, with places for 1,530

Eligible for free school meals15.3%

15.3%, 11.2 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language17.7%

17.7%, 3.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support9.8%

9.8%, 5 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.6%

2.6%, 3.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Higham Lane School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Etone College0.5 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 47.3
Higham Lane North Academy0.8 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
King Edward VI College0.8 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
St Thomas More Catholic Academy and Sixth Form College2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 47.5
George Eliot Academy2 milesReport card: Expected standardAttainment 8: 45.8

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
CENTRAL ENGLAND ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Michael Gannon
Address
Shanklin Drive, Nuneaton, CV10 0BJ
Local authority
Warwickshire
URN
137767

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.