A calm, well-ordered comprehensive on Kent's north coast where high expectations meet genuine community spirit. Herne Bay High School has carved out a distinctive identity as a Sports College with an Outstanding sixth form, serving the CT6 postcode area with consistent demand that outstrips available places. With 1.79 applications for every Year 7 place and a sixth form rated Outstanding by Ofsted, this is a school that has earned its popularity through sustained focus on what matters: clear behaviour standards, structured learning, and pathways that genuinely prepare young people for life beyond the school gates.
The school serves approximately 1,500 students aged 11 to 18, with a comprehensive intake that reflects the local community. Under Principal Mr Jon Boyes, the emphasis on high expectations for all has created an environment where students can focus on learning without distraction.
The 2022 Ofsted inspection captured something essential about Herne Bay High: "A calm well-ordered environment ensures that pupils can focus on learning." Inspectors also noted that "pupils made it clear that they enjoy the sense of community." This is not a school of high drama or constant innovation. Instead, it operates with the steady reliability that families value.
The school day begins at 8:30am with a 20-minute taught mentor session, an approach that sets the tone for structured, purposeful learning. Each day concludes with a 10-minute mentor session to ensure students are ready for the following day. Throughout the school day, students are electronically registered eight times. This might sound bureaucratic, but it reflects the school's commitment to knowing where every student is and ensuring no one slips through gaps.
Mr Jon Boyes leads a school that sets the highest standards for everyone in the Herne Bay High School family: staff, students, parents and the wider local community. The ethos centres on ensuring every child, regardless of their cultural, social and academic background, is given the opportunity to reach their full academic potential whilst developing as a mature, confident individual ready to flourish in a rapidly developing world.
The physical environment supports the school's Sports College designation. Outside facilities include grass pitches, a grass athletics track, jumping pits and throwing areas, two Astroturf pitches (one marked for football and hockey, one for tennis and netball), and a hard-court working area. The Bay Sports Arena provides additional indoor capacity for physical education and community use.
Results at GCSE sit below the England average, a reality the school and prospective families should understand clearly. The average Attainment 8 score of 38 places the school in the lower 40% of secondary schools in England (FindMySchool ranking: 3,492nd). Progress 8 of -1.02 indicates that students make less progress from their starting points than similar students elsewhere.
However, context matters. Herne Bay High is the only secondary school serving the immediate CT6 area, taking a genuinely comprehensive intake without selection. The school ranks 1st in Herne Bay itself for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), reflecting its position as the local secondary option rather than a selective alternative.
The sixth form tells a different story. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2022, it represents one of the genuine strengths of this school. At A-level, 35.9% of grades achieved A*-B, with 10.6% at A*/A. The school ranks 1,960th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in a similar band to its GCSE performance but with the crucial difference that sixth form provision received Ofsted's highest judgement.
The A-level grade profile shows 2.1% achieving A*, 8.4% at A grade, and 25.3% at B grade. While these figures sit below the England average (where 23.6% typically achieve A*/A and 47.2% achieve A*-B), the Outstanding sixth form rating reflects broader factors: the quality of teaching, support for students, and the exceptional progress students make from their starting points.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
35.86%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The curriculum follows a structured approach designed to build knowledge systematically. Students are taught through clear lesson frameworks, with the Ofsted inspection noting that teaching enables students to make good progress due to a well-structured curriculum. The sixth form particularly excels, with students making exceptional progress from their individual starting points.
Setting begins in core subjects to ensure appropriate challenge. The school operates on a two-week timetable, with most days comprising six periods plus mentor time. Wednesdays follow a slightly different pattern with five periods. This consistency allows students and staff to develop routines that support learning.
Specialist teaching underpins the Sports College designation. The PE department draws on expertise developed over years of focused investment, with coaches who hold governing body qualifications working alongside teaching staff. This depth of specialism extends into sixth form pathways in dance and football.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
The sixth form stands as the jewel in Herne Bay High's crown. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, it offers over 30 different qualifications at post-16, ranging from traditional A-levels through BTECs to specialist academy routes in football and dance.
Students can follow a traditional A-level route with subjects across the curriculum. Additional qualifications include Arts Award (Gold), Core Mathematics, Further Mathematics, and the Extended Project Qualification. Entry requirements are sensible rather than exclusionary: five GCSEs at Grade 4 including Mathematics and English, with some subjects requiring higher grades.
From September 2025, a partnership with Herne Bay Football Club delivers a full-time programme balancing football and academic study. Students study a BTEC Level 3 programme equivalent to three A-levels, covering sport science topics including Psychology of Sport, Sociology, Anatomy and Physiology, Coaching, Leadership, and Fitness Training. All education takes place at the school, with training and matches at Herne Bay FC's grounds.
The Dance Academy has established itself as a leading specialist for dance at Key Stage 5 in Kent. Three studios link directly to the school's theatre, providing performance opportunities throughout the year. Students can study dance full-time or combine it with other A-levels. The quality of training is recognised by practitioners and higher education providers, with pathways ranging from life enhancement to professional training.
For students not yet eligible for Level 3 courses, a two-year Level 2+ programme provides an alternative route. Entry requires four GCSEs at grades 9-2, including either Mathematics or English at Grade 4 (with the other at Grade 3). This pathway enables students to progress onto vocational routes or Level 3 study.
The leavers' destinations data from 2023/24 shows diverse pathways reflecting the comprehensive nature of the school. From a cohort of 132 sixth form leavers, 37% progressed to university, 38% entered employment, and 6% began apprenticeships.
Over 50% of university-bound students attend institutions including Brighton, Canterbury Christ Church, Cardiff, Chichester, East Anglia, Edge Hill, Exeter, Kent, Manchester, Medway School of Pharmacy, Sheffield Hallam, Middlesex, Surrey, and Sussex. Approximately 2% of leavers progress to Russell Group universities. The school does not have significant Oxbridge numbers in the published data.
The employment figure of 38% reflects the vocational pathways available through the school, particularly in football and dance, where students leave with industry-relevant qualifications and work experience. The school uses the Unifrog platform to help students compare university courses and apprenticeship opportunities across the country.
Herne Bay High School admits 258 students to Year 7 each year, with applications coordinated through Kent County Council's Secondary Common Application Form. The school is significantly oversubscribed, with 465 applications for 260 places in the most recent year (1.79 applications per place).
When oversubscribed, places are allocated in the following order: children with an EHCP naming the school; looked after and previously looked after children; siblings currently on roll; children of permanent staff employed for two or more years; and finally by proximity, with those residing in the CT6 postcode area and living closest given highest priority.
The CT6 postcode priority means families outside this area face an additional hurdle. Distance is measured in a straight line from the child's home to the school using National Land and Property Gazetteer coordinates. Families should check directly with Kent County Council for the most recent admissions statistics, including the last distance offered.
Sixth form applications are made via Kent Choices between 20 November 2025 and 6 February 2026 at 3pm for September 2026 entry. Standard entry requires five GCSEs at Grade 4 including Mathematics and English, plus individual subject requirements.
All applicants attend course advice meetings in March, with induction running 29 June to 1 July 2026. External applicants must provide GCSE results on the day following publication.
The Post 16 Open Evening takes place on 19 November, running from 5:00pm to 7:30pm with information talks at 5:45pm and 6:25pm. This provides opportunity to explore courses, speak with staff, and understand the progression available. For Year 7 entry, families should check the school website for open day dates, which typically occur in autumn.
Applications
465
Total received
Places Offered
260
Subscription Rate
1.8x
Apps per place
The mentor system provides the framework for pastoral support. Every student belongs to a mentor group, meeting twice daily for registration and guided sessions. This structure ensures regular contact between students and a known adult, creating opportunities to identify concerns early.
The school's behaviour policy operates with clear expectations and consistent consequences. Ofsted noted positive behaviour and attitudes across the school, with the sixth form particularly strong. Students understand what is expected, and the calm environment reflects effective implementation of these standards.
Wellbeing support includes the Wellbeing Warriors programme, LGBTQ+ club, and access to pastoral staff. The school participates in mock elections during national voting periods, supported by PSHE teaching that helps students understand political processes without bias.
The Sports College designation shapes extracurricular life significantly. The PE department runs an extensive programme with clubs before school, at lunchtimes, and after school. Clubs are staffed by PE teachers, governing body qualified coaches, and other staff. All clubs are free to students, with a new programme published each half term.
Students access badminton, basketball, cricket, football, handball, netball, rounders, rugby, softball, and table tennis through the curriculum and beyond. Athletics, fitness, gymnastics, and trampolining develop individual technique. Outdoor activities include orienteering, climbing, and woodland pursuits. Every spring, a popular ski trip to the Italian Alps provides residential adventure.
The Duke of Edinburgh scheme has grown substantially as a directly licensed centre running Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. Completion rates are high, with students progressing through the levels. Gold Award recipients are invited to St James's Palace or occasionally Buckingham Palace to receive their awards, providing a memorable culmination to years of challenge and service.
Sixth form enrichment includes Debating, Driver IQ workshops, Cooking on a Budget, peer mentoring, sports leadership, journalism skills, and charity fundraising. Theatre trips and overseas visits extend horizons. Higher education exhibitions and careers fairs connect students with future opportunities.
The school theatre supports drama productions and dance performances. Music runs through the curriculum with opportunities for ensemble work and individual performance. The Dance Academy's three studios create a performance corridor that brings dance to the centre of school life.
The school day begins at 8:30am with mentor time. Six periods follow on most days, with five on Wednesdays. The school operates a two-week timetable. End-of-term days finish earlier, typically at 12:15pm on the final day.
Herne Bay High School is located at Bullockstone Road, Herne Bay CT6 7NS. The site is accessible by local bus routes serving the Herne Bay area. Car parking is available on site for visitors during open events. As a secondary school, there is no wraparound care provision of the type available at primary schools, though extracurricular clubs extend the day for participating students.
Results below England average. GCSE outcomes place the school in the lower 40% in England, with Progress 8 of -1.02 indicating below-average progress from starting points. Families prioritising academic performance should understand this clearly. The Outstanding sixth form tells a different story, but the journey through Years 7-11 may be more challenging for highly academic students.
CT6 postcode priority. Admissions criteria prioritise the CT6 area, meaning families from outside this zone face a significant hurdle even if living closer than some CT6 residents. This can feel unfair to those on postcode boundaries, so check your eligibility carefully before setting your heart on a place.
Single school serving the area. As the only secondary school in immediate Herne Bay, this is effectively the local comprehensive. Alternatives require travel to Canterbury, Whitstable, or beyond. This monopoly position means the school serves everyone, including students who might thrive elsewhere, and families should consider whether the comprehensive intake matches their child's needs.
Vocational strengths may not suit all. The Football Academy and Dance Academy are genuine strengths, but students seeking a purely academic sixth form experience may find the vocational emphasis less suited to their goals. Equally, the Level 2+ pathway shows the school's commitment to students not meeting traditional entry requirements, which is admirable but reflects the comprehensive reality.
Herne Bay High School delivers solid comprehensive education with a genuinely Outstanding sixth form as its standout feature. The school works hard to maintain high expectations within a challenging context, serving the entire CT6 community without the luxury of selection. For families in the catchment area, this is the secondary school that will educate your children, and it does so with clear structures, good pastoral care, and pathways that recognise different routes to success.
Best suited to families within the CT6 postcode who value community, consistent expectations, and vocational pathways alongside academic options. Students with strong interests in sport, dance, or practical learning will find genuine excellence in the sixth form specialist routes. Those seeking the highest academic outcomes may wish to consider the journey carefully, particularly at GCSE level, though the Outstanding sixth form offers strong progression for students who flourish in this environment.
The main challenge is securing a place at a school where demand exceeds supply by nearly two to one. For those who gain entry, particularly into the sixth form, this is a school with clear strengths and honest ambitions for every student it serves.
Herne Bay High School is rated Good by Ofsted with an Outstanding sixth form. GCSE results sit below the England average, but the school serves a comprehensive intake without selection. The sixth form is a genuine strength, with Ofsted praising exceptional student progress. For families in the CT6 area, this is a reliable local secondary with strong pastoral care and clear expectations.
Applications for Year 7 are made through Kent County Council's Secondary Common Application Form, not directly to the school. The deadline is typically 31 October for September entry. The school is oversubscribed, so understanding the admissions criteria is essential. CT6 postcode residents have priority after looked after children, siblings, and staff children.
Standard entry requires five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including Mathematics and English. Some subjects have higher requirements. Applications are made via Kent Choices between November and February. Students not meeting Level 3 requirements can apply for the Level 2+ programme with slightly lower entry criteria.
The school primarily serves the CT6 postcode area of Herne Bay. When oversubscribed, places are allocated first to children with EHCPs, looked after children, siblings, and staff children, then by proximity with CT6 residents prioritised. There is no formal catchment boundary, but living outside CT6 makes admission significantly harder.
The sixth form offers a Football Academy (in partnership with Herne Bay FC), a Dance Academy with three dedicated studios, and over 30 A-level and BTEC qualifications. The Football Academy provides BTEC Level 3 equivalent to three A-levels alongside professional football training. The Dance Academy is recognised as a leading Key Stage 5 provider in Kent.
From the 2023/24 cohort, 37% progressed to university, 38% entered employment, and 6% began apprenticeships. University destinations include Brighton, Canterbury Christ Church, Cardiff, East Anglia, Exeter, Kent, and Manchester. Approximately 2% progress to Russell Group universities. The vocational pathways mean many students enter work with industry-relevant qualifications.
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