Katherine Warington School
Lower Luton Road, Harpenden, AL5 5FHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Katherine Warington School is a secondary school in Harpenden for ages 11 to 19. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 4th of 4 secondary schools in Harpenden. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 February 2024, report published 24 April 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 28 February 2024
Pupils are proud of their school. They flourish in the school's ethos of achievement and learning. Throughout the school day, pupils strive to live up to the school's expectations. They know that learning is important and approach their studies with genuine determination to do their best. When faced with challenge, pupils support each other well within this strong learning community. Pupils have high aspirations for themselves and their peers. They take pleasure in each other's success. Pupils benefit from the school's impressive character development programme. They take up the extensive opportunities to learn about 'mind, body and soul' with great enthusiasm. Pupils demonstrate exceptional sensitivity when discussing people's different lifestyles and beliefs. They understand complex social issues within contemporary society, including the challenge of 'micro-aggressions' in everyday language. Pupils have also learned the importance of honouring difference in others. This ensures that pupils learn to work and play harmoniously. Positive relationships are in place between pupils and their peers, as well as with staff. Pupils feel safe at school and are taught how to make safe choices in their lives. They work hard and concentrate on learning in lessons. They are kind and look out for each other during social times.
What the school should improve
- In some areas of the curriculum, some teachers do not provide the exact support that some pupils with SEND need. Alongside this, some pupils with SEND are removed from certain lessons to receive small-group support. After these small groups, there is no systematic support to help these pupils catch up on what they missed in class. The school needs to ensure that teachers are supported so they are confident to provide the exact support these pupils need within lessons. Where pupils come out of lessons to work in small groups, the school must develop effective means to enable these pupils to keep up with any learning missed.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
173 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,113 pupils on roll
Schools near Katherine Warington School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir John Lawes School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 62.8 |
| St George's School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted judgements: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 63.7 |
| The King's School | 1 mile | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 59.3 |
| Roundwood Park School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 59.5 |
| Townsend Church of England School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.7 |
School details
- School type
- Free schools
- Sector
- Free school
- Trust
- HARPENDEN SECONDARY EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr David Martin
- Phone
- 01582314777
- Address
- Lower Luton Road, Harpenden, AL5 5FH
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- URN
- 145890
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.