Humberston Academy Review 2026: Strong personal development and an ambitious reading culture

A secondary school with a clear identity and a structured day, Humberston Academy puts reading and personal development at the centre of its approach. The timetable includes a dedicated daily reading slot, and the wider culture is organised around a house system that rewards contribution as well as outcomes.

Academic outcomes sit in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile) on FindMySchool’s GCSE ranking, with the school ranked 1st locally in Grimsby for GCSE outcomes. Progress 8 is slightly below average at -0.13, which matters because it suggests outcomes are not yet consistently strong across all groups and subjects.

Behaviour and day-to-day conduct are a standout. The most recent Ofsted inspection (3 and 4 December 2024) graded Behaviour and attitudes as Outstanding, alongside Outstanding Personal development.

A school’s culture is often best understood through what it chooses to ritualise. Here, the day is deliberately shaped around routines that keep students focused: morning registration, then a dedicated reading session built into the timetable before academic lessons begin. That cadence signals a school that wants calm starts, predictable expectations, and a shared language around learning.

Humberston’s “Humberston Way” language is not treated as branding. It is reinforced through student leadership roles, house councils, and a pastoral structure that links behaviour expectations with belonging. Formal inspection evidence describes a welcoming environment where pupils feel valued and included, with an aspirational culture expressed through consistent expectations and mature conduct from many students.

The house system provides a second organising spine. The acronym DREAM is tied to five qualities, Determination, Resilience, Endeavour, Ambition, Motivation, and these are used as anchors for inter-house sport, performing arts, debating and other events across the year. The practical implication is that students who do not see themselves as “sporty” can still gain visible recognition, and families get a clearer picture of how the school builds confidence beyond assessments.

Leadership matters most when it shapes operational clarity. The current principal is Mr D Shoubridge, and public trust communications show he was in post by 11 February 2021. If you are comparing school trajectory across the past five years, that date is a helpful reference point for how long current senior leadership has influenced systems such as curriculum sequencing, behaviour routines, and enrichment strategy.

Humberston Academy’s GCSE outcomes place it in a steady, broadly middle-high national position rather than an “all results are exceptional” profile. In FindMySchool’s GCSE ranking (based on official data), Humberston ranks 1,268th in England and 1st in Grimsby for GCSE outcomes. This places the school in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

On core metrics, Attainment 8 is 47.1. The EBacc average point score is 4.51, and 30% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in EBacc. Progress 8 is -0.13, which is slightly below the England average benchmark of 0.0 and indicates that, overall, students made marginally less progress than similar pupils nationally.

The key question for parents is not whether the school can produce strong results, it is whether performance is consistent across subjects and groups. Formal inspection evidence states that the majority of pupils achieve well, including in national examinations, but also notes variation in outcomes between some groups and subjects, and that leaders are taking steps to address that. The practical implication is that some departments may feel stronger than others, and families may want to ask how the school identifies underperformance early and what intervention looks like in Year 10 and Year 11.

If you are benchmarking locally, the most useful next step is comparison rather than headline chasing. FindMySchool’s Local Hub comparison tools are designed for exactly this type of “solid but nuanced” profile, where local rank is strong but progress and subject variation still matter.

Teaching is described in official evidence as consistent in approach, with staff using shared methods to support effective learning and to check understanding through well-targeted questioning. This matters because consistency reduces the cognitive load on students, particularly those who find organisation and transitions difficult.

Reading is explicitly positioned as a core driver of the curriculum. The school day includes “DRET Reads” as a defined timetabled slot, and inspection evidence describes reading as central to the curriculum, with daily reading lessons designed to ensure access to high-quality texts and to widen cultural awareness. For families, the implication is clear: students who arrive with weaker reading fluency are not left to drift, and those who already enjoy reading should find a school culture that treats it as normal rather than niche.

Curriculum ambition is stated as being for all pupils, alongside recent improvements in several subjects supported by the wider trust. In practical terms, this often shows up in tighter sequencing of knowledge, clearer assessment cycles, and more deliberate retrieval practice. The curriculum information published by the school also sets out a structured reporting pattern, with three assessment reports per year in Years 7 to 10 and four in Year 11, linked to preparation for public examinations.

Facilities support the academic offer rather than trying to distract from it. The school describes extensive playing fields, specialist teaching rooms grouped by subject, and six computer rooms, with interactive whiteboards in specialist rooms. For students, that typically translates into more consistent access to subject-specific spaces, and a stronger likelihood that computing and digital learning is properly timetabled rather than squeezed into ad hoc sessions.

Where Students Go Next

Humberston Academy is an 11 to 16 school, so the main transition point is post-16. Careers education is structured to support decision-making at key points, including GCSE options and planning for post-16 choices. The school states that students are exposed to colleges, universities, apprenticeship providers and the world of work so they can understand routes and requirements early.

Personal development planning is reinforced through whole-school “drop down” days, including a Personal Development Day, a Careers (Aspirations) Day, and a Safeguarding and Wellbeing Day. The practical implication is that post-16 planning is not treated as a one-off assembly in Year 11, it is built into the year-by-year programme.

Students also take part in work experience, with the school stating bespoke placements for all Year 10 students. For many families, this is one of the most meaningful “real world” experiences available before Year 11, particularly for students exploring technical pathways or apprenticeships where employer engagement can make the route feel tangible.

Humberston also references a partnership with York University and its Shine Programme. That matters for students who benefit from widening participation style support, academic aspiration, and structured exposure to higher education settings.

Year 7 admissions are coordinated through the local authority’s secondary admissions process, rather than direct applications to the school. The school’s published admissions arrangements set a Year 7 Published Admission Number (PAN) of 180.

Oversubscription criteria are clearly set out. After children with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school, the published priority order includes looked-after and previously looked-after children, siblings, catchment area, children of academy employees, children attending named feeder primaries, then distance. Distance is measured as the shortest available safe walking route using the local authority’s computerised measuring system, which is important for families who assume “as the crow flies” measurements apply.

For September 2026 entry, the local authority timetable and the school’s published policy indicate a secondary application deadline of 31 October 2025. National Offer Day is 2 March 2026, with the local authority guide also setting out appeals timelines, including an appeal submission deadline of 31 March 2026 for on-time applications to be heard in the first round.

If you are considering an in-year move, the school indicates that in-year admissions are processed through the academy, with a stated outcome timeframe of 10 days once an in-year application is submitted. Families should still expect availability to vary sharply by year group.

A practical way to de-risk assumptions is to use FindMySchool’s Map Search to check how your address sits relative to published criteria and any distance-based allocation patterns in your local area, then validate those assumptions directly with the admissions authority.

Pastoral support is framed as both operational and preventative. The school publishes a defined pastoral structure and a safeguarding section that sets out visitor protocols, lockdown procedures, and clear signposting to local support services. For parents, transparency here is a positive indicator because it suggests systems are documented rather than informal.

SEND leadership is explicitly identified, including an Assistant Principal who acts as SEND Coordinator, supported by a SEND Lead and an Assistant SEND Coordinator. There is also named responsibility for children in care, which is helpful for families who want to understand accountability, not just general intent.

Behaviour expectations are designed to be consistent and visible. The school’s published attendance and punctuality guidance emphasises being on site by 08:30 and in tutor rooms by 08:35, linking punctuality to learning habits. The practical implication is that families need to plan transport carefully, particularly for students who struggle with morning routines, because lateness is likely to be addressed rather than quietly absorbed.

Extracurricular life is organised as enrichment rather than a loose list of clubs. The school describes enrichment as a daily part of life and ties it to life skills, including teamwork, confidence, creativity and focus. This framing can suit students who need a reason to participate beyond “it looks good on a CV”, because it positions enrichment as practice for adulthood rather than an optional extra.

There are concrete examples of subject-linked enrichment. A published STEM Club for Years 7 and 8 includes practical activities such as “exploding pumpkins” and building a “Chemistree”. The point is not novelty, it is early engagement with hands-on science and problem-solving, which can be particularly effective for students who learn best through making and testing rather than extended written tasks.

Sport is clearly systematised. The sports enrichment programme is branded “Play Your Part” and is described as running year-round, including clubs, fixtures, house competitions, specialist coaching and special events. The school also highlights ways students can contribute to sport beyond playing, such as reporting, filming and photography, which broadens participation for students who prefer creative or technical roles.

Enrichment extends beyond the site through larger experiences and partnerships. The school lists opportunities such as Outward Bound expeditions, debating competitions, workshops with Nevill Holt Opera, and trust-wide competitions in music, photography and art. It also hosts community programmes on site outside school hours, including activities linked to Grimsby Town Sports and Education Trust, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award provision, and East Coast Elite Marching Band. These partnerships can be particularly valuable for families who want structured activities without extensive travel.

The academy day is clearly published. Students register from 08:35, with a timetabled reading session from 08:50 to 09:10, then five teaching periods, with dismissal from Period 5 at 15:05. Students are expected to be on site by 08:30.

Lunch is run as a cafeteria system. The school states a meal deal price of £2.53, alongside practical guidance on packed lunches and water bottles, plus initiatives such as “Free Fruit Friday”.

As a secondary school without a sixth form, there is no published wraparound childcare model in the way primary schools often provide. After-school enrichment and intervention are more relevant here, and families should review current term-by-term enrichment schedules via the school’s published information.

• Progress is slightly below average overall. Progress 8 is -0.13, which suggests outcomes are not yet consistently strong for all students across subjects. Families may want to ask how gaps are identified early, and what targeted support looks like for students at risk of underachieving.

• No sixth form, so post-16 planning matters earlier. Students transfer after Year 11. The careers and personal development programme is designed to support this, but parents should still prioritise visits to post-16 providers and confirm entry requirements early in Year 11.

• Admissions criteria are structured and can become technical. Catchment, feeder schools, and distance measurement method can all affect allocation. If you are close to the boundary of eligibility, you will want precise guidance rather than assumptions.

Humberston Academy offers a disciplined, well-structured secondary experience with strong personal development provision and a reading-first approach that sets an academic tone from the start of each day. Behaviour and conduct are a clear strength, and enrichment is organised in a way that aims to include students with varied interests, not only athletes.

Best suited to families who value consistent routines, clear expectations, and a school culture that rewards contribution and participation alongside outcomes. Those for whom academic progress measures are the primary decision driver should ask direct questions about subject variation and support strategies, then compare local alternatives using FindMySchool’s comparison tools.