Hadley Learning Community - Secondary Phase Review 2026: A Modern Hub for Community Achievement

Hadley Learning Community (HLC) stands as a focal point of modern education in Telford, Shropshire. Operating as part of the Learning Community Trust, the secondary phase serves approximately 1,200 students within a purpose-built, expansive campus. Since opening in 2006, the school has established itself as an inclusive mainstream provider, consistently maintaining a Good rating from Ofsted. Its 2024 GCSE outcomes place it 3rd locally in Telford, reflecting a solid performance that aligns with the middle 35% of schools in England (50th percentile). The school operates with a clear sense of civic duty, sharing its site with a primary phase and a bridge centre, creating a true all-age campus feel despite the distinct management of the secondary wing.

The atmosphere at Hadley Learning Community is defined by its architectural openness and the scale of its ambition. The building itself is a glass and steel structure that feels more like a contemporary college than a traditional secondary school. High ceilings and wide communal areas are designed to reduce congestion and promote a calm, professional environment.

Mr Daniel Roycroft, who has served as Principal of the secondary phase since July 2021, leads a team focused on a culture of belonging. This is not merely a slogan; the school is notably inclusive, successfully integrating a diverse student body from the surrounding Hadley and Leegomery areas. The site is a 24/7 community asset, housing a public library, a swimming pool, and a theatre, which means students grow up seeing their school as a vital piece of local infrastructure rather than an isolated institution.

In 2024, Hadley Learning Community achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 43. While this is slightly below the England average of 46.2, the school remains a leading choice within the local authority. It is currently ranked 2,311th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and ranks 3rd among the secondary schools in Telford. This position places the school comfortably within the national typical band, indicating performance in line with the middle 35% of schools across England.

The Progress 8 score of -0.21 suggests that while students are performing well in absolute terms, there is a continued focus on ensuring every student exceeds their predicted trajectory from primary school. In the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 16.9% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above, a metric the school is actively working to increase through broader language and humanities participation.

The curriculum at HLC is designed to be accessible yet challenging, with a strong emphasis on core literacy and numeracy in the lower years to bridge gaps from primary transition. Teaching is structured around clear learning objectives, with a digital-forward approach that utilizes modern classroom technology.

In Key Stage 4, the school offers a balanced mix of traditional GCSEs and vocational qualifications. This dual-track approach ensures that students interested in technical careers have high-quality pathways in subjects like Engineering and Health and Social Care, alongside the standard academic suite. The school’s status as part of the Learning Community Trust allows for shared expertise across local academies, particularly in staff development and curriculum planning.

The facilities at HLC are among the strongest in the region, largely due to the PFI (Private Finance Initiative) heritage of the building. Students have access to a 25-metre swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness suite, and floodlit all-weather pitches.

STEM: Innovation and Technology

The school places a significant premium on technical literacy. The Design and Technology department is a hive of activity, featuring industry-standard CAD/CAM equipment and 3D printers. The HLC Robotics Club is a standout extracurricular feature, where students engage in coding and mechanical assembly. For those interested in the environment, the school’s Eco-Warriors group manages on-site sustainability projects, linking biological science to practical local action.

Creative arts are equally well-served by the 200-seat theatre and specialist music recording studios. Named clubs like the HLC Debating Society and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme provide students with opportunities to build resilience and public speaking skills outside of the standard timetable.

Hadley Learning Community is a significantly oversubscribed school. In the most recent admissions cycle, the school received 820 applications for its available places, representing a subscription proportion of 3.55 applications per offer. This high demand underscores its reputation as a preferred choice in Telford.

Admissions are coordinated by Telford & Wrekin Council. After looked-after children and those with siblings already at the school, proximity to the Waterloo Road site is the primary factor for entry. Because the school is at capacity, families moving into the area mid-year may find it difficult to secure a place outside of the formal appeals process. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to local trends.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, Hadley Learning Community does not charge tuition fees. Education is provided free of charge to all students aged 11 to 16. Families are responsible for costs related to school uniform, elective trips, and specialized equipment for certain extracurricular activities. Financial support is available via the Pupil Premium for eligible families to help cover these additional costs.

The school employs a House System to break the large student body into smaller, manageable communities. Each student is assigned a vertical tutor group, allowing older students to mentor younger peers. This structure is supported by a dedicated pastoral team that includes non-teaching heads of house, ensuring that there is always an adult available to deal with emotional or social issues during the school day.

The latest Ofsted findings highlight that students feel safe and that instances of bullying are dealt with effectively by staff. The Bridge provision on site also offers bespoke support for students who may struggle with mainstream environments, providing a graduated approach to inclusion.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm, though individual year groups may have slight variations in dismissal times. While there is no sixth form on-site, the school has strong transition partnerships with Telford College and Shrewsbury Colleges Group. Hadley Learning Community is well-served by local bus routes from Telford town centre, and there is significant cycle storage for students. Being a community hub, the site remains active in the evenings with various sports and arts clubs.

• High Competition for Places: With over three applications for every one place, HLC is one of the most oversubscribed schools in Telford. Families living outside the immediate Hadley area should have a clear Plan B on their application form.
• Large Campus Feel: The modern, open-plan nature of the building and the large student population may feel overwhelming for children who prefer smaller, more traditional school settings.
• No On-Site Sixth Form: Students must transition to a new college environment at age 16. While this prepares them well for adulthood, it requires a significant adjustment after five years at HLC.

Hadley Learning Community is a high-performing, modern secondary that sits at the heart of its Telford neighborhood. It successfully balances academic ambition with a vocational breadth that suits its diverse intake. The school is best suited to students who thrive in a large, bustling environment and who wish to take advantage of some of the best sporting and technical facilities in Shropshire. Those who secure a place will join a school that is deeply integrated into its community and consistently delivers solid outcomes.