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OpenSecondaryOfsted: OutstandingURN 137270

Sir John Lawes School

Academy converter · Harpenden · AL5 4QP

Ages 11–18 · 1,373 pupils · Hertfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Outstanding

Attainment 8

62.3

Overall absence

4.1%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

Outstanding

Inspection date

2023-03-28

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.79
−20+2
Attainment 862.3
English & maths grade 5+76%
English & maths grade 4+89%
EBacc entry45%

EBacc APS: 5.6

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence4.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)7.9%
Unauthorised0.7%
Authorised absence
3.4%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.7%
Enrolments in measure
1,017

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill114%

1,373 pupils · 1,200 places

Pupils on roll
1,373
Boys / girls
734 / 639
School capacity
1,200
Capacity fill
1,373 / 1,200 (114%)
Free school meals
9.7%
FSM pupils
98
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Academy trust
SCHOLARS' EDUCATION TRUST
Sponsor
Scholars' Education Trust
Headteacher
Mr Philip Newbery

Location

Address
Manland Way
Postcode
AL5 4QP
Town
Harpenden
County
Hertfordshire
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
St Albans
Constituency
Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, 1,373 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 9.7%.

Open schools in Harpenden
20
Secondary schools in Harpenden
4
Academies among open schools in Harpenden
30% (6)
Open schools in AL5
21
Secondary in AL5
4
Open schools in Hertfordshire LA
591
Secondary in Hertfordshire LA
77

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in HarpendenNear AL5

  • St George's School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Harpenden · AL5 4TD · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att864.2
    • P80.7
    • Absence6.6%

    0.3 miles away

  • Katherine Warington School

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Secondary

    Harpenden · AL5 5FH · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–19

    • Att854.0
    • P80.5
    • Absence7.2%

    0.6 miles away

  • Roundwood Park School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Harpenden · AL5 3AE · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att862.5
    • P80.8
    • Absence6.7%

    1.2 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Philip Newbery
Telephone
01582760043
Website
http://www.sjl.herts.sch.uk

Official links