Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre

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

Surley Row, Emmer Green, Reading, RG4 8LROpen in maps

Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre is a secondary school in Reading for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 70 schools in Reading. It ranks 7th of 19 secondary schools in Reading. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2015.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 30 April 2015, report published 2 June 2015

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Requires improvement

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

248 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score50.4

50.4, 4.3 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths57.3%

57.3%, 11.9 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths74.6%

74.6%, 9.8 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc38.7%

38.7%, 1.8 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.61

4.61, 0.52 above the England average of 4.09.

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

141 students

Average point score per A level entry34.39

34.39, 0.61 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C+, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,537 pupils on roll, with places for 1,440

Eligible for free school meals9.4%

9.4%, 17.1 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language14.4%

14.4%, 7.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12.7%

12.7%, 2.1 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.2%

2.2%, 3.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Queen Anne's School0.8 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 36.0
River Academy1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
The Deenway Montessori School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published
Red Balloon Learner Centre Reading2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Kendrick School2 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 84.0

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
GLF SCHOOLS
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Ms Laura Mathews
Phone
01189015800
Website
highdown.reading.sch.uk
Address
Surley Row, Emmer Green, Reading, RG4 8LR
Local authority
Reading
URN
136307

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.