Highworth Grammar School, based in Ashford, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy converter and operates as a girls school. It follows a selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Highworth Grammar School currently has around 1543 pupils on roll, which is about 126% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 5.6% boys and 94.4% girls. Around 7.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 5.6%. Persistent absence is recorded at 12.7%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (57.2%).
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 97% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (96%) , including 89% who stay in school sixth forms and 6% progressing to further education , while 1% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Maidstone Road, Ashford, TN24 8UD |
| Website: | http://www.highworth.kent.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01233624910 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Kent |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Duncan Beer |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Selective |
| Unique reference: | 136379 |
Ofsted inspection date: 14/01/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Girls |
| School Capacity: | 1227 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1543 |
| Number of Boys: | 86 |
| Number of Girls: | 1457 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 5.6% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 12.7% | 8.2% |
| White British | 57.20% | 883 |
| Other Asian | 9.40% | 145 |
| Indian | 6.00% | 92 |
| Other White | 5.60% | 86 |
| African | 5.10% | 78 |
| Other Mixed | 4.00% | 62 |
| White and Asian | 3.20% | 50 |
| Unclassified | 1.40% | 21 |
| Chinese | 1.20% | 19 |
| White and Black African | 1.20% | 18 |
| Other Black | 1.20% | 18 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 1.10% | 17 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 1.10% | 17 |
| Pakistani | 0.90% | 14 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.60% | 10 |
| Irish | 0.50% | 8 |
| Caribbean | 0.30% | 5 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Ashford Quantock Drive , TN24 8QN | - not rated | 261 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Teresa's Catholic Primary School Quantock Drive , TN24 8QN | 3out of 4 | 261 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ashford, St Mary's Church of England Primary School Western Avenue , TN23 1ND | 3out of 4 | 306 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Repton Manor Primary School Repton Avenue , TN23 3RX | 3out of 4 | 963 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Victoria Road Primary School Victoria Road , TN23 7HQ | 3out of 4 | 1,180 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highworth Grammar School for Girls Quantock Drive , TN24 8UD | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Highworth Grammar School Maidstone Road , TN24 8UD | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| The North School Essella Road , TN24 8AL | - not rated | 2,074 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The North School for Boys Essella Road , TN24 8AL | - not rated | 2,074 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| North School for Girls Essella Road , TN24 8AL | - not rated | 2,074 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollington School Hollington Place , TN24 8UN | - not rated | 729 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Threshold Learning Centre Ashford , Centre Piece TN23 1BA | - not rated | 880 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Goldwyn Sixth Form College Unit 3 , Norfolk Drive TN23 4FB | - not rated | 943 yd | Special post 16 institution | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ashford College of Further Education Norwood Street , Cecil House TN23 1QT | - not rated | 951 yd | Miscellaneous | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The School of the Open Book 38 Queen Street , TN23 1RG | - not rated | 1,077 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.