Harlington School Review 2026: A Fresh Start in Hayes

Harlington School has entered a new era. The opening of its main building in late 2023 replaced aging 1970s blocks with modern, purpose-built facilities, physically transforming the campus. This renewal was capped by an Ofsted inspection in November 2024, which rated the school Good across all areas. Serving a diverse community in Hayes, the school operates on the core values of Aspiration, Community, and Diversity. It is a large, busy comprehensive where over 50 languages are spoken, yet it maintains a distinct "Harlington family" feel that staff and students frequently reference.

The move to the new building has shifted the school’s atmosphere significantly. The corridors are wider, the light is better, and the specialised learning zones—particularly for art and science—feel professional and current. Uniquely, the school shares its site with the Harlington Sports Centre, giving students access to facilities that far exceed the state school norm, including extensive indoor courts and a fully equipped gym.

Mr Antonio D'Onofrio has led the school since 2022. His tenure has focused on raising expectations while preserving the school’s inclusive heart. Students here are energetic and confident. The diversity is not just a statistic but the defining feature of the social environment; groups mix naturally, and the school celebrates its multicultural identity through regular events and assemblies.

Academic performance is solid, particularly regarding student progress. In 2024, the school recorded a positive Progress 8 score for the third consecutive year, indicating that students achieve better outcomes here than they would at an average school, regardless of their starting point.

The school ranks 15th among secondary schools in Hillingdon for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This performance places it in the national typical band, reflecting results that are broadly in line with the middle 35% of schools in England. While overall attainment varies, with 23% of students achieving the English Baccalaureate at grade 5 or above in the last published data, the value-added scores suggest effective teaching.

At A-level, the school ranks in the national lower band for top grades, with 23.5% of entries achieving A*-B. However, for students on the right courses, success is attainable, and the sixth form is growing in popularity.

The curriculum is broad and focuses on keeping options open. Key Stage 3 covers the full National Curriculum range, including distinct provision for drama, music, and art, which have benefited from the new studios.

Inspectors in 2024 noted that teachers have secure subject knowledge and use assessment well to check understanding. The school has adopted clear pedagogical principles that focus on modelling and explanation, which helps the high number of students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) to access complex concepts. Support for these students is a specific strength, with tailored interventions allowing them to integrate rapidly into mainstream lessons.

Aspirations are high, and the majority of Year 13 leavers progress to university. In 2024, 69% of students moved on to higher education. While the school is not a production line for elite universities, it regularly sends students to Russell Group institutions. In the most recent cycle, one student secured a place at Cambridge, proving that the pathway to top-tier success is open for the most academically able.

For those not pursuing university, the school has strong links with local colleges and apprenticeship providers, particularly in engineering and digital sectors.

Admission to Year 7 is coordinated by the London Borough of Hillingdon. The school has a Planned Admission Number (PAN) of 240.

The school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent cycle, there were 485 applications for the 240 places, a ratio of approximately two applicants for every seat. Places are allocated according to standard criteria: looked-after children first, followed by siblings, children of staff, and then distance.

The last distance offered varies annually based on the applicant spread. Families living outside the immediate Hayes area without a sibling link may find it challenging to secure a place. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

The school uses a Year Group system for pastoral care, meaning students have a dedicated Head of Year who moves up the school with them. This continuity allows staff to build genuine relationships with families over five years.

The House system adds a layer of identity and competition. Students earn points for demonstrating the school values—Aspiration, Community, and Diversity—which feed into termly rewards. For students needing extra support, the new building includes a dedicated student support zone, offering a quiet sanctuary away from the bustle of the main school.

Extracurricular life is a major strength, bolstered by the on-site sports centre. Clubs run before and after school, ranging from trampolining and badminton to debating and coding.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, with high participation rates at Bronze and Silver levels. The arts are also well represented; the annual school production is a highlight of the calendar, and the music department runs several active ensembles. Trips are frequent and varied, with recent examples including geography fieldwork and history visits to Berlin.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Located on Pinkwell Lane, the site is well-served by local buses (U4, 140, 90) and is within reach of Hayes & Harlington station on the Elizabeth Line. There is no dedicated school bus service.

Sixth Form Options: While the Sixth Form is inclusive and growing, the A-level top grades are statistically below the national average. Highly academic students aiming for the most competitive courses should explore the specific enrichment support available, such as the Oxbridge mentoring programme.

Large Environment: With over 1,300 students and a shared sports site, the school is busy and lively. It suits students who are resilient and sociable; those who prefer a very small or quiet environment might find the scale initially daunting.

Construction Legacy: The main building is complete and open, but as with any major project, final landscaping and site adjustments may be ongoing. The disruption of the build is largely in the past, but the site remains active.

Harlington School is a community comprehensive on an upward trajectory. The combination of a new building, a fresh Good rating from Ofsted (2024), and steady leadership has created a school that feels confident and purposeful. It is best suited to local families who value inclusivity and want a modern learning environment where their child will be supported to make strong progress. The main challenge is the competition for places in Year 7.