The Hart School
Penkridge Bank Road, Rugeley, WS15 2UEOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Hart School is a secondary school in Rugeley for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 451 schools in Staffordshire. It ranks 22nd of 56 secondary schools in Staffordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2018.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 20 March 2018, report published 27 April 2018
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 21 June 2023
The Hart School is an inclusive, welcoming and friendly school. Pupils feel safe. Leaders are ambitious for pupils. The school's motto is 'we can, we will, we do' and leaders provide many opportunities, both in and out of the classroom, for this vision to be realised. Pupils are encouraged to think about the 'Hart' values in everything they do, which remind them to be 'happy, ambitious, resilient and tolerant' learners. Pupils display respect for people's differences. Everyone feels that they can be an individual here. The relatively new behaviour policy is having a positive impact. Pupils behave very well in lessons and move calmly around the school site. They enjoy being part of this harmonious school. Relationships between staff and pupils, and between pupils, are friendly and purposeful. Bullying is not accepted. Sixth-form students act as good role models for younger pupils. Leaders have ensured that, since the pandemic, that there is a wide variety of after-school clubs and sports. They are working with pupils to make sure this offer continually improves. An annual school musical production offers excellent opportunities for pupils to develop their individual skills and talents.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, teachers do not check that all pupils have the secure knowledge they need to be able to complete key tasks. When this is the case, pupils sometimes move on to new learning without having a secure understanding of key pieces of knowledge. This hinders their understanding and progress. Leaders should ensure that teachers make appropriate adaptations to their teaching to support all pupils to understand important knowledge before moving on.
- The numbers of pupils studying a modern foreign language at key stage 4 is low. This means that too few pupils study the full range of academic subjects that make up the EBacc. Leaders should prioritise their plans to increase uptake of modern foreign languages.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
213 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
60 students
Average A level grade C, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,157 pupils on roll, with places for 1,238
Schools near The Hart School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP Alternative Education | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 0.2 |
| Rugeley John Taylor | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Staffordshire University Academy | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 32.9 |
| Kingsmead School | 4 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 48.5 |
| Chase Terrace Academy | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 44.3 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- CREATIVE EDUCATION TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Miss Rachael Sandham
- Phone
- 01889802440
- Address
- Penkridge Bank Road, Rugeley, WS15 2UE
- Local authority
- Staffordshire
- URN
- 137100
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.