Howden School Review 2026: A Community Secondary Achieving New Heights

In the heart of the historic market town of Howden, where rural charm meets rising academic ambition, Howden School has undergone a significant transformation. Serving a student body of 710, this co-educational secondary school provides a purposeful and increasingly ambitious environment for students aged 11 to 16. Since joining The Consortium Academy Trust in 2018, the school has worked steadily to shed its historical performance challenges, culminating in a landmark 2025 assessment.

Mrs Lisa Tester took over the headship in January 2026, succeeding an interim period of leadership that stabilized the school following its previous Requires Improvement status. The most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2025 officially moved the school to a Good rating, with inspectors specifically praising the calm behavior of students and the effective leadership that has redesigned the curriculum. For families in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Howden School now stands as a primary choice that combines community values with a modern, trust-backed educational framework.

The atmosphere at Howden School is defined by its vibrant house system, which divides the student body into five houses: Simmonds, Turing, Wilberforce, Johnson, and Mandela. At morning registration and during competitive events, these houses create a sense of belonging that bridges the gap between different year groups. The campus, situated on Derwent Road, blends functional mid-century architecture with more recent modular developments, all focused around a central quad where students gather.

Beyond the brick and mortar, the school operates under the Trust's vision of Shaping Positive Futures. This ethos is visible in the way students interact; behavior in corridors and during social times is orderly and respectful. Mrs Tester’s arrival has signaled a commitment to "excellence in teaching and learning," moving beyond the stabilization phase into a period of genuine academic refinement. There is a palpable sense of pride among the staff, many of whom have been instrumental in the school's journey from a difficult inspection in 2023 to its current Good standing.

Academic performance at Howden School has followed a clear upward trajectory. According to FindMySchool proprietary rankings based on the latest 2024 data, the school ranks 2,585th in England for GCSE outcomes. Locally, it ranks 3rd among secondaries in the Goole area, placing it in the national typical tier (middle 35% of schools in England).

The 2024 results showed an Average Attainment 8 score of 41.2. While the Progress 8 score of -0.52 indicates that the school was still closing gaps in student progress compared to England averages during that period, the internal indicators following the 2025 inspection suggest a significant closing of this gap. In the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 13.8% of students achieved a grade 5 or above, demonstrating a solid foundation in core academic subjects. The 2025 inspection report highlighted that the "lack of curriculum rigour" identified in previous years has been successfully addressed, with teachers now demonstrating expert subject knowledge.

Teaching at Howden School is characterized by a "no excuses" approach to academic standards. The curriculum has been redesigned to ensure that students are not just covering content but developing deep insights into their subjects. In Science and Mathematics, which are noted strengths, the pace is brisk and the expectations are high. The school also maintains a strong focus on technical literacy, with well-equipped ICT suites supporting the Business Studies and Technology departments.

The Consortium Academy Trust provides a layer of support that smaller, standalone schools often lack. Teachers regularly collaborate with peers across the Trust to share best practices and moderate assessments. This collaboration has been particularly effective in supporting students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), who make good progress thanks to tailored support in mainstream classes and occasional specialist intervention.

Where Students Go Next

As a school serving the 11-16 age range, Howden School places heavy emphasis on transition planning. Although the school does not have its own sixth form, its students are highly sought after by local post-16 providers. In 2024, an impressive 96% of students remained in education or employment after Year 11, exceeding both the local authority and England averages.

Popular destinations include Selby College (54%), Sixth Form colleges (27%), and apprenticeships (9%). The school’s dedicated careers lead, Alexia Bahadur, ensures that students have a clear roadmap for their post-GCSE life, with regular visits to local colleges and industry-led workshops beginning as early as Year 9.

Admissions are coordinated by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The school is currently oversubscribed, reflecting its growing reputation. In the most recent cycle, the school received 185 applications for 150 available places, a subscription proportion of 1.32.

The deadline for secondary school applications for 2026 entry was 31 October 2025, with National Offer Day scheduled for 2 March 2026. For families considering future years, checking the FindMySchool Map Search is essential for visualizing the catchment area, though distance offered varies annually based on applicant distribution. Proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the Howden experience. The school employs a tiered support system where every student has a designated tutor and a Head of House. Safeguarding is led by Miss R Southorn, and the most recent inspection confirmed that procedures are robust and students feel genuinely safe.

The school has invested in "Thrive" practitioners who support students' emotional and social development. This is particularly effective for those transitioning from primary school who may find the larger secondary environment daunting. The house system also plays a pastoral role, as senior students are often seen mentoring younger pupils, reinforcing a culture of kindness and responsibility.

The extracurricular program at Howden is extensive, with a focus on sport and the creative arts. The "Howden Hornets" sports teams are a source of local pride, particularly in football and netball. The school also offers a range of enrichment activities every Wednesday from 3:15 pm, including coding clubs, drama rehearsals, and a thriving debating society.

STEM

STEM excellence is a growing pillar of the school. Students participate in regional robotics competitions and have access to industry-standard technology in the newly renovated Design and Technology workshops. The "Maths revision resources" initiative ensures that Year 11 students have a comprehensive suite of digital tools to support their final preparations.

The school day begins at 8:40 am and concludes at 3:00 pm, with buses departing shortly after at 3:10 pm. For those staying for enrichment, activities usually run until 4:30 pm.

In terms of wraparound care, while Howden School does not offer a formal after-school childcare club for secondary students, there are local private providers like NNCS Nursery that offer before and after-school clubs nearby. Families are encouraged to use the FindMySchool tools to compare local options for their younger children, as Howden Junior School (a separate institution) does offer on-site Breakfast and After School clubs.

• Oversubscribed Status: With a subscription ratio of 1.32, entry is increasingly competitive. Families should ensure they are within the core catchment to maximize their chances.
• Transition at 16: Because there is no sixth form on-site, students must be prepared to move to a new environment after Year 11. Most students find this transition manageable, but it requires early planning.
• Recent Improvement: While the school is now rated Good, it is still building on a period of rapid change. Some departmental consistency is still being refined as the 2025 framework is fully embedded.

Howden School is a school that has found its stride. For local families, it offers the rare combination of a small-school community feel with the academic weight of a larger trust. It best suits students who thrive in a structured, house-based environment and those who value the clear pathways into further education or apprenticeships. Parents should use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to monitor this school's continued upward trend as it cements its position as one of the area's top-performing comprehensive options.