Highcliffe School, Christchurch

In 2026, pupils at Highcliffe School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 50.2 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; and 47 across England.

50% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 56% in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; and 47% in England.

That is up from 47 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.05: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 35.2, against 50.7 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 15.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 26 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Art and Design and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 256 families put Highcliffe School as their first choice and 525 named it as one of their preferences, for 256 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. 7 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Highcliffe School are The Grange School (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 39.8); The Arnewood School (2.6 miles, Inadequate, Attainment 8 40.4); Twynham School (2.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.4); and St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive School (3.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.2).

Highcliffe School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Highcliffe School is one of 8 schools run by Hisp Multi Academy Trust Ltd, an academy trust.

Of the 235 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 87% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 32% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 5% into work.

Of the 117 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 39% went on to university or other higher education, 6% to apprenticeships and 31% into work. 22% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

14.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Hinton Admiral Rail Station, about 870 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Highcliffe School (ne-bound), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 40 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, other theft and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (223).

In 2024/25, Highcliffe School issued 221 suspensions, 14.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Highcliffe School are Highcliffe St Mark Primary School (0.8 miles); St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Christchurch (1.1 miles); Somerford Primary School (1.5 miles); and Mudeford Junior School (1.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.