Henley Bank High School Review 2026: Rapid Improvement and Exceptional Progress

Henley Bank High School, situated on the edge of the Cotswolds in Brockworth, has undergone a significant transformation since joining the Greenshaw Learning Trust in 2018. Formerly known as Millbrook Academy, the school has successfully shed its past difficulties to become a sought-after institution that consistently helps students outperform their predicted trajectories. The 2024 results confirm this upward trend, with progress scores that sit comfortably above the England average.

Serving approximately 850 students across the secondary and post-16 phases, Henley Bank operates as a mixed, non-selective academy. The atmosphere is defined by high expectations and a structured environment, a shift led by the current Headteacher, Mr Stephen Derry, who was appointed in September 2020. Families in Gloucester now view the school as a reliable choice for academic rigour, evidenced by its oversubscribed status in recent admissions cycles.

The campus at Mill Lane offers a blend of traditional classroom spaces and modern specialist wings. Upon arrival, the environment feels purposeful; students wear their blazers with pride and move between lessons with a sense of urgency. The Greenshaw Learning Trust's influence is visible through consistent branding and a clear, shared vocabulary regarding behaviour and effort.

Mr Stephen Derry has been a stable and driving force since 2020, implementing a knowledge-rich curriculum that prioritises core academic subjects. The school values of Ambition, Confidence, Creativity and Respect are not merely decorative; they form the backbone of the assembly programme and the merit system. The 2022 Ofsted inspection, which rated the school Good in all areas, noted that students feel safe and that staff have high aspirations for every child, regardless of their starting point.

The school's academic performance tells a story of remarkable value-added success. In 2024, Henley Bank High School achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.64. This indicates that, on average, students achieved more than half a grade better in each subject than similar students in England. This score is significantly above the England average and highlights the effectiveness of the school's teaching interventions.

Henley Bank ranks 1560th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and ranks 8th among secondary schools in Gloucester. This position reflects a solid performance, in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), but it is the progress score that truly distinguishes the school from its local competitors. The Attainment 8 score of 49.6 also sits above the local authority average.

Teaching follows a highly structured format designed to maximise memory retention. Lessons often begin with retrieval tasks to consolidate previous learning, a method students describe as helpful for exam preparation. The curriculum is weighted toward the EBacc subjects; however, there is a clear commitment to maintaining a broad offer, including performing arts and physical education.

The teaching staff benefit from the Greenshaw Learning Trust’s professional development network, ensuring that classroom practice is informed by recent educational research. This is particularly evident in the mathematics and science departments, where specialist teachers use clear modelling to break down complex concepts.

Sixth Form

The Henley Bank Sixth Form is a smaller, more intimate environment than the main school, allowing for close mentorship. While results for the A-level phase are still maturing following the school's relaunch, the focus remains on preparing students for both university and higher-level apprenticeships.

The curriculum at Key Stage 5 includes a range of A-level and vocational options. Students benefit from a dedicated study centre and a bespoke careers programme that includes mock interviews and UCAS support. For students comparing local performance, the FindMySchool Local Hub page provides a side-by-side view of these post-16 results using the Comparison Tool.

Where Students Go Next

Destination data for Henley Bank is increasingly ambitious. A significant proportion of Year 13 leavers progress to university, with recent cohorts securing places at Russell Group institutions including the University of Bristol and the University of Birmingham. Students have also participated in The Brilliant Club, a programme designed to widen access to highly selective universities through PhD-tutor led seminars.

The school also maintains strong links with local employers and Gloucestershire College, supporting students who prefer the apprenticeship or further education route. The Careers Leader works individually with students from Year 10 onwards to ensure they have a clear pathway mapped out.

Admissions are coordinated by Gloucestershire County Council. Henley Bank High School has become increasingly popular; in the most recent measurement period, the school received 539 applications for 163 places. With a subscription proportion of 3.31, entry has become highly competitive.

For the September 2026 intake, the online application facility opened on 3 September 2025 and closed on 31 October 2025. Allocation Day is scheduled for 2 March 2026. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to gauge their likelihood of securing a place.

Pastoral support is organised through a year-group system, with each year led by a Head of Year and a non-teaching Pastoral Lead. This structure ensures there is always a member of staff available to deal with emotional or social issues during the school day.

The school's behaviour policy is firm but fair, focusing on disruption-free learning. While some families initially found the transition to stricter rules challenging, the result has been a calm, predictable environment where students can focus on their studies without interruption. The 2022 inspection confirmed that safeguarding is effective and that students feel well-supported by the staff.

The co-curricular programme is central to the school's Character Education. STEM excellence is a growing pillar here; the school hosts a popular Robotics Club and enters teams into national coding competitions. Students also participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Ten Tors challenge.

Sporting facilities are a strength, featuring a large sports hall, floodlit courts, and expansive playing fields. Creative students can join the Art Club, which supports the school's Legacy colleges (Hill, Holst, Jenner, and Dowty) through project-based work. The Wellbeing Gardening team, which manages a community allotment from scratch, highlights the school's focus on service and outdoor learning.

The school day begins at 8:40am and finishes at 3:10pm for all students. Transport is accessible via local bus routes from Gloucester city centre and the surrounding Brockworth area. There is a dedicated school bus service for students living further afield. Parents can access the full uniform policy and term dates via the school website. Wraparound care details are not published on the official site; parents should contact the school directly for current breakfast or after-school club availability.

• Firm behaviour policy: The school operates a very structured environment with strict rules on uniform and conduct. This approach suits students who thrive under clear boundaries but may feel restrictive to those used to more relaxed settings.
• Rising competition: With over three applications for every available place, Henley Bank is no longer a safe option for those outside the immediate Brockworth and Matson areas. Families should have a clear backup plan in place.
• Knowledge-led focus: The curriculum is heavily focused on academic retrieval and core subjects. While this has led to excellent progress scores, it means the pace of learning is brisk and demanding from Year 7 onwards.

Henley Bank High School is a remarkable example of how strong leadership and a clear vision can revitalise a community school. Its standout Progress 8 score of +0.64 is the most compelling evidence of its quality, proving that students here make significantly more progress than their peers nationally. Best suited to students who want a disciplined, academic environment and families who value a school that punches above its weight in terms of results. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.