Hitchin Girls' School is a secondary school in Hitchin, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy converter and operates as a girls school. It follows a non-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.
Hitchin Girls' School currently has around 1356 pupils on roll, which is about 97% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately % boys and 100% girls. Around 8.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 7.7%. Persistent absence is recorded at 19.2%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (68.6%).
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 99% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (97%) , including 73% who stay in school sixth forms and 16% progressing to further education , while 2% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Highbury Road, Hitchin, SG4 9RS |
| Website: | http://www.hgs.herts.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01462621300 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Hertfordshire |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr James Crowther |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 137288 |
Ofsted inspection date: 08/10/2024
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Girls |
| School Capacity: | 1400 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1356 |
| Number of Boys: | 0 |
| Number of Girls: | 1356 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 7.7% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 19.2% | 8.2% |
| White British | 68.60% | 930 |
| Indian | 5.80% | 78 |
| Other White | 4.10% | 55 |
| White and Asian | 3.20% | 43 |
| Other Asian | 3.10% | 42 |
| Unclassified | 2.40% | 32 |
| Chinese | 2.20% | 30 |
| Bangladeshi | 2.10% | 28 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 2.00% | 27 |
| Other Mixed | 1.80% | 25 |
| African | 1.80% | 24 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.80% | 11 |
| Pakistani | 0.80% | 11 |
| Caribbean | 0.70% | 10 |
| Other Black | 0.40% | 6 |
| White and Black African | 0.30% | 4 |
| Irish | 0.00% | 0 |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| York Road Nursery School York Road , SG5 1XA | 4out of 4 | 1,070 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highbury Infant School and Nursery Standhill Road , SG4 9AG | 3out of 4 | 338 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin Benslow Lane , SG4 9RD | 4out of 4 | 456 yd | Voluntary aided school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| William Ransom Primary School Stuart Drive , SG4 9QB | - not rated | 774 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Whitehill Junior School Whitehill Road , SG4 9HT | 3out of 4 | 825 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy Fishponds Road , SG5 1NS | 3out of 4 | 1,130 yd | Academy sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitchin Girls' School Highbury Road , SG4 9RS | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Hitchin Girls' School Highbury Road , SG4 9RS | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Hitchin Boys' School Grammar School Walk , SG5 1JB | - not rated | 785 yd | Community school | No | Boys | More About School |
| Hitchin Boys' School Grammar School Walk , SG5 1JB | 4out of 4 | 785 yd | Academy converter | No | Boys | More About School |
| The Priory School Bedford Road , SG5 2UR | 3out of 4 | 2,041 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingshott School Stevenage Road , St Ippolyts SG4 7JX | - not rated | 1,445 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| The Chrysalis School for Autism Units 8 & 9 , The Glover Centre SG5 1RT | - not rated | 1,537 yd | Other independent special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| North Herts Education Support Centre Briar Patch Lane , SG6 3LY | - not rated | 3,196 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.