Sir John Lawes School

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

Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QPOpen in maps

Sir John Lawes School is a secondary school in Harpenden for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 2nd of 4 secondary schools in Harpenden. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in March 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 28 March 2023, report published 22 May 2023

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Sixth form provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

192 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score62.8

62.8, 16.7 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths75.5%

75.5%, 30.1 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths87%

87%, 22.2 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc52.1%

52.1%, 11.6 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score5.74

5.74, 1.65 above the England average of 4.09.

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

156 students

Average point score per A level entry42.42

42.42, 7.42 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B+, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,373 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200

Eligible for free school meals8.4%

8.4%, 18.1 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language13.5%

13.5%, 8.1 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.1%

13.1%, 1.7 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2%

2%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Sir John Lawes School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St George's School0.3 milesOfsted judgements: OutstandingAttainment 8: 63.7
Katherine Warington School0.6 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 54.8
The King's School0.9 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 59.3
Roundwood Park School1 mileOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 59.5
Townsend Church of England School3 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 46.7

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Philip Newbery
Phone
01582760043
Website
sjl.herts.sch.uk
Address
Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QP
Local authority
Hertfordshire
URN
137270

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.