The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College

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

Warwick Road, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 5NJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College is a secondary school in Bishop's Stortford for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 1st of 5 secondary schools in Bishop's Stortford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in November 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 14 November 2023, report published 14 January 2024

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

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 November 2023

The school's motto of 'Excellence for All' runs through all aspects of this exceptional school. The school has the highest ambitions for what pupils can achieve. It provides the help and guidance pupils need to achieve them. Pupils consistently rise to meet the high expectations that the school sets for them. As a result, pupils excel both academically and in wider school life. Pupils benefit from the calm and purposeful atmosphere that they experience both in and out of lessons. This orderly environment enables all pupils to thrive. Pupils look out for each other and welcome new pupils and visitors with kindness. Pupils value the rich and extensive range of activities available to them. This includes a range of subject clubs and a comprehensive list of music and sports opportunities. Pupils regularly go on trips and visits. The school encourages pupils to be the best they can be. Pupils develop their leadership opportunities across all year groups. These are linked to the school's values of resilience, respect, compassion, creativity, independence and initiative. Through this, many pupils help to make the school better and improve the experience for all.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

185 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score63.6

63.6, 17.5 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths75.7%

75.7%, 30.3 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths93.5%

93.5%, 28.7 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc61.1%

61.1%, 20.6 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score5.83

5.83, 1.74 above the England average of 4.09.

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

243 students

Average point score per A level entry41.00

41.00, 6 above the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade B, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,508 pupils on roll, with places for 1,360

Eligible for free school meals6%

6%, 20.5 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language16.8%

16.8%, 4.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support8%

8%, 6.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.3%

1.3%, 4.7 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Hockerill Anglo-European College0.2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 61.7
Birchwood High School0.7 milesOfsted judgements: GoodAttainment 8: 46.1
St Mary's Catholic School0.8 milesOfsted judgements: Good to outstandingAttainment 8: 57.6
Bishop's Stortford College1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 23.4
Avanti Grange Secondary School1 mileOfsted judgements: OutstandingNot published

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
HERTS & ESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Girls
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Richard Paul
Address
Warwick Road, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 5NJ
Local authority
Hertfordshire
URN
140786

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.