Highsted Grammar School
Highsted Road, Sittingbourne, ME10 4PTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Highsted Grammar School is a secondary school in Sittingbourne for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. It ranks 2nd of 5 secondary schools in Sittingbourne. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 17 January 2023, report published 19 March 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 17 January 2023
Pupils and students flourish and succeed at Highsted Grammar. They are very carefully prepared for their future roles and responsibilities. Leaders set high expectations of what they can achieve. Pupils and students respond well to these high expectations. An ambitious 'cognitive and compassion' curriculum offers a fitting balance of academic rigour and pastoral support. Pupils are courteous, polite and welcoming. They are happy, safe and well cared for. Rare instances of bullying are resolved very quickly and effectively. Careers guidance helps pupils to make appropriate choices about next steps. Many pupils stay on into the sixth form. Similarly high numbers of students proceed to quality universities of their own choice. There is an extensive programme of extra-curricular and enrichment activities. This includes subject clubs, sports fixtures, music competitions and careers conventions. Pupils relish trips to museums, theatres and art galleries, as well as exchange visits to Bavaria and expeditions abroad. The school is focused on promoting positive mental health through activities such as the Year 7 Friendship Day, residential trips, house drama, the school choir and peer mentoring. Mental health well-being is also a key part of the 'Education for Life' programme, showcasing female role models and featuring inspirational and influential speakers.
What the school should improve
- In a small number of subjects, the curriculum is not yet implemented securely and consistently. This means that the impact of the curriculum in these subjects is not as assured as it is in other subjects. Leaders should continue to share the best practice that already exists. They should ensure that curriculum implementation is securely and consistently embedded across the school.
- Not all parents feel sufficiently engaged with the school and the work that the school is doing for their children. As a result, they feel negative about the school and uninformed about its intentions. Leaders should continue to work with parents so that they are sufficiently engaged with the school and better understand the work that the school is doing.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
142 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
76 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
793 pupils on roll, with places for 830
Schools near Highsted Grammar School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulston Manor School | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 35.3 |
| Borden Grammar School | 0.3 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 63.2 |
| VTC Independent School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| The Sittingbourne School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 34.1 |
| Westlands School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 40.6 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- HIGHSTED ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Girls
- Admissions
- Selective
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Ms Anne Kelly
- Phone
- 01795424223
- Address
- Highsted Road, Sittingbourne, ME10 4PT
- Local authority
- Kent
- URN
- 136305
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.