Northwood School, Northwood
Northwood School is a secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 18 in Northwood, part of Partnership Learning. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2018. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in October 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2026 GCSE results were the highest of the 22 schools in Hillingdon with published results, and 334th of 3,298 across England. It was 83% full in 2025.
- GCSE results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2018)
- Demand
- Oversubscribed
- Attendance
- Better than England average
- Progress (2024)
- Well above average
Year 7 applications for September 2027 close in 5 days
Deadline Saturday 31 October 2026. Apply to Hillingdon (the council where you live). Offers on 1 March.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Northwood School in detail
Results
In 2026, pupils at Northwood School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 57.9, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.6 in Hillingdon and 47 across England.
74% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 47% in Hillingdon and 47% in England.
That is in line with 2025, when the score was 58.4.
Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.76: pupils made well above 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 47.4, against 61.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 13.7 points.
Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Business Studies.
Getting a place at Northwood School
For September 2026 entry, 193 families put Northwood School as their first choice and 811 named it as one of their preferences, for 167 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 72 families who put it first were not offered a place there.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state secondary schools to Northwood School are UTC Heathrow (under 0.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 28.6); Haydon School (0.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.9); Bishop Ramsey Church of England School (1.6 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 56.8); and Pinner High School (1.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 60.3).
Northwood School's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.
UTC HeathrowHaydon SchoolBishop Ramsey Church of England SchoolPinner High School
The trust
Northwood School is one of 20 schools run by Partnership Learning, an academy trust.
Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49.4 in 2024/25.
What parents say
73 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Northwood School (as of September 2025): 92% would recommend the school, 92% say their child is happy there and 69% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school has high expectations for their child (95%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (69%).
Where pupils go next
Of the 175 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 91% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 33% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.
Of the 48 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 65% went on to university or other higher education, 4% to apprenticeships and 19% into work. 44% went to one of the most selective third of universities.
Who goes there
39.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Asian (33%), White British (26%) and Mixed (13%).
In 2026, 91 pupils (8.7%) received SEN support and 56 (5.4%) 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 autism.
Northwood School has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 12 places, 5 pupils on roll.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Northwood Hills, about 250 metres away (roughly a 3-minute walk).
11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Northwood School, 40 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 129 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hillingdon (256).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Northwood School issued 122 suspensions, 11.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Primary schools nearby
The primary schools closest to Northwood School are Hillside Junior School (0.4 miles), Hillside Infant School (0.4 miles), Harlyn Primary School (0.5 miles) and Pinner Wood School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.
Hillside Junior SchoolHillside Infant SchoolHarlyn Primary SchoolPinner Wood School
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; Ofsted Parent View; DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Hillingdon published that the last place for 2025 entry went to a family 1,131 metres away (straight line). The cut-off moves every year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from October 2018, 8 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Pupils thrive here. They embrace their school values and are proud to be part of its strong and caring community. All staff have high expectations for pupils to succeed and grow in every aspect of school life. Staff work extremely hard to ensure that all pupils have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. This enables pupils to achieve highly at school as they strive to be the best they can be.
Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They are polite and respectful. They are also caring and supportive of each other. They share the high expectations that leaders and staff have for them and appreciate their support.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Leaders maintain high academic standards and pupils typically achieve extremely well. This includes those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and those who are disadvantaged. The curriculum also reaches far beyond the academic and pupils are encouraged to flourish in their personal development as well.
The school's curriculum provides pupils with the opportunity to study a broad range of subjects in depth. In the sixth form, the curriculum caters for a wide range of students' interests and potential career pathways. Throughout the school, staff are skilled in adapting learning to support pupils' individual needs, including pupils with SEND. Leaders are quick to identify the needs of pupils with SEND and to initiate support. Prompt and effective help is provided for pupils who are at the early stage of learning to read and any who have fallen behind. This enables those pupils to quickly gain the knowledge and skills they need to become confident, fluent readers.
From Ofsted's October 2024 ungraded inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at its October 2018 inspection - up from Good.
Rated Outstanding for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
19.1%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Resourced provision: Speech and language
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
73 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Secondary Performance (GCSE)
Academic year 2025/26GCSE Results
2025/26 academic year
Progress 8 has improved from 0.62 to 0.76 (2023 to 2024). Attainment 8 has improved from 53.9 to 57.9 (2023 to 2026). GCSE English & Maths 5+ has improved from 58% to 74% (2023 to 2026).
Performance by Group
| Group | Progress 8 | Attainment 8 | Eng+Maths 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| All pupils | - | 57.9 | 74.3% |
| Disadvantaged(41) | - | 47.4 | 51.2% |
| Not known to be disadvantaged(134) | - | 61.1 | 81.3% |
| Boys(94) | - | 57.2 | 72.3% |
| Girls(81) | - | 58.6 | 76.5% |
Show more breakdowns (2)
| Known or believed to be other than English(72) | - | 61.2 | 77.8% |
| Non mobile(172) | - | 58.2 | 75% |
2025/26 academic year - DfE performance tables data
GCSE Subjects Offered
+ 4 more subjects
2025/26 academic year - entries by number of pupils
After GCSEs - Leaver Destinations
After GCSEs (Year 11) - 175 students
2023/24 data
Exclusions & Suspensions
0
Permanent exclusions
0.00%
Exclusion rate
122
Suspensions
11.83%
Suspension rate
67 pupils received one or more suspensions out of 1,031 pupils
2024/25 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby secondary schools
Keep up with Northwood School
Getting There
Tube / Metro / Tram
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Northwood School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Northwood School is in Hillingdon; for families living there:
Apply to Hillingdon for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 44
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 7
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 44 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 40 slight.
7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 4 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
15 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Hillingdon is 25 (the median across 111 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Northwood School
Will you get a place at Northwood School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Northwood School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Northwood School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Northwood School.
- Last distance offered for 2025 entry, from Hillingdon's own figures, and how your distance compares each year.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Northwood School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Hillingdon got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
£9.99 once
One school, inc. VAT. Or £19.99 for up to three schools.
Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time
A report for any school, plus everything else in Pro.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
83%
Available places
1,023 pupils
1,235 places
212 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Northwood
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Northwood
Across Hillingdon council
Places available
3,605
Applications
3,520
Got 1st preference
67.2%
Got preferred school
93.8%
All secondary applications across Hillingdon council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Oversubscribed
Inspection History(4)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
91
SEN Support
56
EHC Plans
14.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Northwood School has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 12 places, 5 pupils on roll.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
1,044
Total Pupils
562
Boys
482
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
75
Teachers
13.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£55,972
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£7,579
Per pupil
£7112k
Total funding
£190k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.5%
Overall absence
17.4%
Persistent absence
921
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Northwood School
Showing 10 of 12 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Northwood School
What are GCSE results like at Northwood School?
In the 2026 results, pupils at Northwood School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 57.9. 74% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is Northwood School's Ofsted rating?
Northwood School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in October 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2018, it was rated Outstanding.
How close to Northwood School do you need to live?
Hillingdon published for September 2025 entry that the last place offered at Northwood School on distance went to a family 1131 metres away. This is the authority's own figure for one year, not a fixed boundary - the cut-off moves with the number of applications, so treat it as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Is it hard to get a place at Northwood School?
Northwood School was not full in 2025: it ran at 83% of its 1235 places.
How big are the classes at Northwood School?
Classes at Northwood School average 22.5 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Northwood School?
Northwood School has around 1044 pupils on roll. 19% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Northwood School have specialist SEN provision?
Northwood School has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 12 places, 5 pupils on roll.
What is attendance like at Northwood School?
6.5% of sessions were missed at Northwood School in 2024/25. 17.4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Northwood School?
Apply through Hillingdon's coordinated admissions process, naming Northwood School on your application. Applications for Year 7 places starting in September 2027 close on Saturday 31 October 2026, and offers are made on Monday 1 March 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Northwood School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 44 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 40 slight. 7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 4 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 15 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Hillingdon is 25 (the median across 111 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Northwood School?
Northwood School is at Pinner Road, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 1QN.
Sources: Hillingdon admissions booklet; Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)