Highcliffe School
Parkside, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 4QDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Highcliffe School is a secondary school in Christchurch for ages 11 to 19. It is one of the 111 schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. It ranks 14th of 22 secondary schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2017.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 31 October 2017, report published 27 November 2017
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 27 June 2023
Highcliffe School is a welcoming school. Pupils are keen to share their experiences of school life with visitors. Pupils behave well in lessons and at social times. They feel safe in school and have an adult who they can speak to if they have a concern. Pupils particularly value the use of their 'My Highcliffe' account messaging service to ask for help. Pupils say there are some incidents of bullying. They understand that this behaviour is unacceptable and they report concerns to staff. The school does act, but pupils and parents are not always confident that bullying will not reoccur. The 'Highcliffe Challenge' encourages pupils to develop and showcase their skills and talents. Pupils take part in a wide range of personal challenges, for example physical activity, leadership or creative skills. Pupils are proud to see their record of success grow and be celebrated. Pupils and students in the sixth form value their extra-curricular opportunities. For example, they take part in music, debating, outdoor education and sporting clubs. Pupils enjoy having leadership responsibilities, such as being representatives on the school council and peer mentoring. Students in the sixth form enjoy their courses. They feel supported by teachers who know them well. Students value the advice and guidance they receive about careers and further education. They feel well prepared for the future.
What the school should improve
- Leaders do not identify the precise needs of the weakest readers. As a result, the pupils without secure phonic knowledge do not receive the support needed to learn to decode and read fluently. Therefore, these pupils do not learn the wider curriculum as well as they might. Leaders need to ensure that all pupils can read well enough to understand age-appropriate texts in all the subjects they study.
- The reading curriculum does not support pupils of all ages to develop their enjoyment of reading. As a result, some pupils do not have opportunities to improve their reading confidence and breadth. Leaders should consider how to further develop a culture of reading across the school.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
254 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
107 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,519 pupils on roll, with places for 1,461
Schools near Highcliffe School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Grange School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 36.3 |
| The Arnewood School | 3 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 37.6 |
| Twynham School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 53.5 |
| Durlston School | 3 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Ballard School | 3 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 32.2 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- HISP MULTI ACADEMY TRUST LTD
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Patrick Earnshaw
- Phone
- 01425273381
- Address
- Parkside, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 4QD
- Local authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- URN
- 136763
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.