John Masefield High School, Ledbury

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to be able to welcome you to John Masefield High School. Our school is characterised by its warm and supportive community. We are welcoming, positive, friendly, and we help one another."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, athletics, badminton, cross-country, drama and ukulele.

In 2026, pupils at John Masefield High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.3 in Herefordshire, County of; and 47 across England.

46% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 42% in Herefordshire, County of; and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 46.2.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.35: pupils made below 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 35.7, against 50.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 14.8 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 19 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, French and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 133 families put John Masefield High School as their first choice and 213 named it as one of their preferences, for 142 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

John Masefield High School is run by its own single-school academy trust.

Of the 151 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 37% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 75 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 37% went on to university or other higher education, 11% to apprenticeships and 35% into work. 22% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

7.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 181 pupils (21.3%) received SEN support and 20 (2.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest railway station is Ledbury Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is John Masefield School (adjacent), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 41 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Herefordshire, County of (4), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, John Masefield High School issued 17 suspensions, 2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to John Masefield High School are Ledbury Primary School (0.6 miles) and Eastnor Parochial Primary School (1.3 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.