Ruislip High School Review 2026: Outstanding Community School With Seven Forms of Entry

The winter concert arrives in December, the Sixth Form cafe fills with students debating their futures, and somewhere in the building a robotics team is tinkering with their next project. Ruislip High School opened to its first cohort in September 2006, when architects Scott Brownrigg designed a purpose-built campus on greenfield land in the heart of Ruislip. Just two decades later, the school is unrecognisable from its small beginnings: it has grown to seven forms of entry, now educating 1,283 students across an expanded estate with a state-of-the-art sixth form centre opened in 2021. Under the leadership of Headteacher Gareth Davies since 2019, the school was rated Outstanding across all five areas by Ofsted in December 2023 - the first comprehensive inspection since converting to academy status in 2014. The school ranks 900th in England for GCSE results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 20% nationally and 8th within Hillingdon. Its Progress 8 score of +0.62 shows pupils make well-above-average progress from their starting points. The school's motto, drawn from its founding principle, captures the ambition: students move from 'grass roots' to 'reach for the sky'.

Pupils thrive in an environment where inclusivity is genuinely at the heart of school life. The inspection team noted that behaviour is impeccable and expectations are consistently high, creating a calm and purposeful atmosphere across the site. Sixth formers move through the purpose-built sixth form centre with evident confidence. Year 7 students navigate the main building with the kind of purposefulness you see when children feel genuinely safe. Staff know pupils by name; the mentoring system ensures no student gets lost. The school's three core values — respect, integrity, and perseverance — are visible in how students interact with each other and with staff.

The buildings themselves speak to thoughtful design. The modern wings sit alongside the original structures, with natural light streaming through the glass-walled sixth form spaces. The 2021 sixth form centre includes dedicated study rooms and a café where students genuinely congregate between lessons, not because they must, but because the space invites them. For families seeking inclusivity rather than selective pressure, this matters deeply. The school actively celebrates students with SEND; provision is robust and pupils progress through the same curriculum as peers thanks to well-established systems and strong home-school communication.

Leadership is visible and approachable. Gareth Davies inherited a strong school from Martina Lecky and has maintained the trajectory. The Vanguard Learning Trust, overseen by CEO Martina Lecky and chaired by Peter Davies, provides oversight and support. Student voice is taken seriously; a Student Parliament and Year Team Councils ensure pupils have genuine input into school decisions. Year 13 students described attending Oxbridge interview preparation sessions on a November afternoon; Year 12 Biology classes took field trips to Spiders Park just weeks before; sixth formers have accessed guest speakers including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and David Dein MBE, founder of the Premier League.

GCSE Performance

In the most recent results cycle, 33% of all GCSE entries achieved grades 9-7 (the highest), with 66% achieving grades 5-9 (considered 'strong passes' in the reformed system). Attainment 8 — the key government metric — averaged 54.1 per pupil, well above the England average of 45.9. The school's Progress 8 score of +0.62 is particularly significant: it means the typical student makes substantially more progress than their peers nationally when accounting for their starting points. This is not a school where results plateau; it is a place where genuine progress happens.

The school ranks 900th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 20% of secondary schools nationally and 8th locally within Hillingdon. This reflects consistent strength. The English Baccalaureate (a broader measure including English, mathematics, sciences, humanities, and languages) is taken by 40% of pupils, with an average English Baccalaureate points score of 4.87 — well above the England average of 4.08.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form, established in 2011, has matured into a genuine asset. At A-level, 55% of grades are A*-B (considered top grades), with 19% at A*/A. The school offers 15 A-level subjects plus BTEC Level 3 in Sport and Health and Social Care, alongside a partnership with Vyners School that broadens sixth form choice further. Students have secured places at Oxford and Cambridge in recent cohorts, with destinations including Earth Sciences, Architecture, Biomedicine, Biochemistry, Law, and Natural Sciences. A strong pipeline exists for Medicine: Year 13 leavers have been accepted at Birmingham and other Russell Group medical schools.

The school ranks 1,155th in England for A-level results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it around the middle of the national distribution. This reflects that while the school punches above its weight at GCSE, the sixth form serves a broader cohort than purely grammar-entry pupils, meaning grade distributions are more typical at post-16. That said, leavers' destinations are strong: 66% of the 2024 leaver cohort progressed to university, with 1% into apprenticeships and 17% into employment.

The curriculum is deliberately ambitious and broad. Year 7 pupils study states of matter in science before advancing to chemical reactions in Year 8; this represents a clear progression rather than repetition. Teachers employ varied instructional strategies and regularly assess understanding to adjust teaching. Class sizes average 28 in lower years, dropping to smaller sets for A-level, enabling more targeted feedback.

The school has prioritised a genuine culture of reading, which is unusual and commendable in secondary settings. All Year 7 pupils have a dedicated 'reading hour' each week focusing on strengthening foundational skills. Teachers organise special events and trips — including recent visits to independent bookshops in Central London — to cultivate enthusiasm rather than duty. This approach is paying dividends: pupils talk about their reading; texts are visible across classrooms; a clear love of language permeates lessons.

For students with SEND, curriculum access is secured through quality-first teaching, plus additional in-class and withdrawal support. The school does not create parallel curricula; instead, it removes barriers so all students study creative and practical subjects alongside traditional core subjects. Staff turnover is low, creating stability and relational continuity that vulnerable pupils particularly benefit from.

Sixth form teaching is delivered by subject specialists. The school employs two dedicated Learning Mentors for the sixth form — an enhanced staffing model — alongside tutors trained in pastoral support. In Year 12, an entire week is dedicated to university planning and career exploration; in Year 13, every student receives specialist help writing personal statements. This level of attention is rare in state sixth forms.

Leavers' data for the 2024 cohort shows 66% progressed to university, 17% to employment, and 1% to apprenticeships. Within the university cohort, Oxbridge is a genuine pathway: the school had 11 applications to Oxford and Cambridge in the measurement period, with 1 secured place (Cambridge). Beyond elite universities, former pupils attend Bristol, Durham, Exeter, Edinburgh, and other Russell Group institutions. Medicine remains popular, with multiple Year 13 leavers securing places at competitive universities. Recent leaver destinations also include competitive apprenticeships with major multinational organisations.

The sixth form's investment in Oxbridge support is genuine, not tokenistic. A November session in 2025 saw sixth formers attending dedicated interview preparation. The school's website lists previous Oxbridge admits by subject, signalling to younger students that these destinations are achievable. Yet the school is transparent: not all leavers go to university, and that is celebrated. Several sixth formers transition into employment or apprenticeships; the careers programme is woven into the curriculum and includes bespoke events such as careers fairs and employer partnerships.

The sixth form study programme is individually tailored. Most students pursue three A-levels or a mix of A-levels and BTEC courses. For those who have not achieved GCSE grade 4 in English or mathematics, timetabled resit provision ensures they progress. Beyond qualifications, every student engages with the enrichment offer: bi-weekly Above & Beyond clubs range from basketball to fantasy football, yoga and mindfulness, debate societies, and current affairs discussion. Sixth formers mentor younger pupils and assist in school productions and events, building leadership explicitly.

Trips are extensive. Past cohorts have visited CERN in Switzerland, a nature reserve in South Africa, and participated in Model United Nations delegations to New York City — experiences that are memorable but also deeply formative. Year 13 students can elect to visit the United States alongside Media Studies and Politics, connecting their A-level studies to real-world context.

The Above & Beyond Programme is the school's framework for enrichment, and it is genuinely comprehensive. Students sign up for clubs termly, allowing them to explore breadth or dig deeper into passions. The school encourages participation in at least two clubs per week, and many students take more.

Music

A thriving music offer sits at the heart of school life. The Choir (formed 2021, led by Miss Nastou) welcomes pupils from all year groups and performs at winter celebrations, assemblies, and summer concerts. A diverse repertoire spans seasonal classics, Disney, and pop hits, often in collaboration with the school Band. The Band (also formed 2021) performs seasonal classics, blues, and film music at school events. Both ensembles require audition and invitation in September, creating an aspirational culture. Individual instrumental lessons are offered through the Hillingdon service. All pupils in Key Stage 3 are given the opportunity to learn an instrument and encouraged to expand skills through clubs and performances.

Drama

Drama at GCSE and A-level is offered and popular. Students attend regular theatre trips; Year 10 and 11 pupils get the opportunity to assist, act, and direct in school productions, including a dedicated Year 10 performance evening. Year 13 Drama and Theatre Studies students may visit the USA in conjunction with Media Studies and Politics, embedding performance experience within international context. The curriculum spans Greek Theatre (Antigone), Commedia dell'Arte, Jacobean drama, verbatim theatre, and contemporary piece creation.

STEM

A dedicated robotics club sits within the Above & Beyond offer, alongside Science Club. Year 7 pupils have accessed STEMbiotics events. Computer Science students participate in BIMA Digital Days, connecting classroom coding to industry context. Year 12 Biology classes undertake field visits (recent: Spider Park) that embed theory in observation. Year 13 pupils have accessed the Institute of Physics and the Hadron Collider at CERN, exposing them to frontier science. The school runs a Mathematics mentoring programme and celebrates achievement through competitions like the World Cup Maths Challenge.

Sports

The PE Department offers football, basketball, badminton, netball, and volleyball as club options, with staff aiming to equip students with essential skills and provide pathways from participation to competition. Five Ruislip High students attended the WheelPower Sports Festival in November 2025, signalling inclusive sports provision. Staff-organised fixtures and competitions run throughout the year, though specific team structures are not detailed in public sources.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The school is one of the few in London to offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award at all three levels — Bronze, Silver, and Gold. This is a differentiating factor. Pupils who complete Gold-level expeditions develop resilience, navigation skills, and self-reliance rarely cultivated in classroom settings.

Languages & Cultural Studies

Languages Week is an annual event celebrating linguistic diversity. Students engage with Japanese, French, and other modern foreign languages, though language-specific clubs are not fully itemised in public resources.

Leadership & Student Voice

Student Parliament and Year Team Councils give pupils genuine input into school decisions. The Head Student (Amber, 2025-26), Deputy Head Students (Ethan and Pearl), and Student Leadership Team organise whole-school events, run mentoring programmes, and lead fundraising. This matters: pupils see peers leading change, not just observing.

Trips & Experiences

The school organises:

• Year 8 Trip to Paris
• Year 9 Battlefields trip
• Year 10 & 11 trips to Barcelona, Rome, Berlin
• Year 12 & 13 Model United Nations to New York
• Year 12 & 13 science trip to Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, South Africa

These experiences embed curriculum learning (history, modern languages, sciences) in real-world contexts. They signal that the school views education holistically.

Events & Competitions

Throughout the year, the calendar features Languages Week, Safer Internet Week, World Cup Maths Challenge, Year 7 Astronomy Evening, and Young Green Briton Challenge. These break up the exam cycle and invite broad participation.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Admission at Year 7 follows the standard coordinated admissions process through Hillingdon Local Authority. In 2024, the school received significantly more applications than places — a reflection of its growing reputation. The admissions booklet 'Starting Secondary School in September' details the process; parents should check the LA website for key dates.

The school is actively oversubscribed, meaning distance from school will play a material role in allocation if places are full. There is no formal catchment area; instead, places are allocated by distance after looked-after children and those with EHCPs. Families considering Ruislip High should verify current distance-based arrangements with the LA. The school emphasises a robust transition programme: staff visit all feeder primary schools in summer, individual meetings are held with Year 6 families, and a full induction day in July is followed by a separate parent meeting.

For Sixth Form entry (Year 12), the school accepts both internal and external applicants. Entry requirements are not published as fixed grades but are based on demonstrating readiness for A-level or Level 3 study. The school offers a Sixth Form Open Evening in autumn of Year 11 to guide transition. External applicants who meet expectations are welcomed; the sixth form cohort is growing, with new students bringing fresh perspectives.

The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Ruislip High is located on Sidmouth Drive in the HA4 postcode area of Ruislip, Middlesex, within the London Borough of Hillingdon. The school is accessible by public transport; Ruislip tube station (Metropolitan Line) is approximately 1.5 miles away, with regular bus services also serving the site. Parking near the school can be limited, particularly at peak times; families using cars are advised to arrive early or consider alternative transport during congestion. The site has been expanded and modernised over two decades; while not all contemporary facilities are itemised publicly, the 2021 sixth form centre is purpose-built, and science, technology, and sports facilities have been progressively upgraded.

The school's pastoral structure is robust. Form tutors know pupils well; tutor groups are small (6-8 pupils). A trained counsellor visits weekly for students needing additional emotional support. The school holds the Inclusion Quality Mark, reflecting its commitment to SEND and mental health. Behaviour is addressed through clear systems: the behaviour policy explicitly references the school's values (respect, integrity, perseverance), and students use this language naturally. Staff are trained in safeguarding; the school describes its safeguarding team as "exceptionally strong."

Year 9 options support is particularly strong: rather than presenting a confusing list, the school creates four distinct pathways to help students navigate choices. Parents' evenings are used to discuss these paths, not just to hear grades.

For sixth formers, pastoral support is enhanced. Tutors are specifically trained; Year 12 benefits from a whole week dedicated to planning futures; Year 13 receives specialist help with personal statements. The sixth form cafe provides a physical space where students can relax between lessons, not just a transactional lunch venue.

Demand is high. With multiple forms of entry, the school is consistently oversubscribed. Distance will play a decisive role if you are out of catchment. Families should verify current admissions distances and plan accordingly, understanding that proximity does not guarantee a place but significantly improves odds.

Progress 8 performance is strong but not exceptional. While the school pushes pupils from their starting points well (Progress 8: +0.62), GCSE grades are solid rather than elite by some benchmarks. If your priority is maximum headline grades at GCSE, selective grammar schools may offer marginally higher outcomes, though this must be weighed against Ruislip's superior whole-school culture and lower selective pressure.

The sixth form is younger. With Sixth Form only opening in 2011, there is less alumni history than 50-year-old sixth forms. This is changing rapidly, but it means the university pipeline is still being built for less-traditional routes (e.g., vocational careers). If your child's ambition lies outside academia (apprenticeships, music industry, skilled trades), the school is proactive but the mentor network at that endpoint is smaller than at schools with longer histories.

No religious affiliation. The school is secular. Families seeking faith-based education (Catholic, Church of England, Jewish, or other) should look elsewhere. The school does have a multi-faith room and teaches about world religions, but daily practice is non-denominational.

A genuinely inclusive, high-achieving comprehensive school that delivers Outstanding education without the pressure-cooker intensity of selective entry. The school has grown from nothing in 2006 to a fully developed, ambitious institution with expanding sixth form provision. Consistent Outstanding Ofsted ratings across the past decade, strong Progress 8 scores, and genuine university pathways (including Oxbridge) demonstrate that this is a school that accelerates children. The culture is warm; behaviour is excellent; staff are visible and approachable. Best suited to families seeking a school that combines academic rigour with inclusivity, where students with SEND are genuinely supported, and where enrichment is comprehensive and accessible to all. The main challenge is gaining admission in a heavily oversubscribed context; verification of distance and early engagement with admissions processes are essential. For families living within reasonable distance who value comprehensive education, this is an exemplary choice.