The Hereford Church of England Academy, Hereford

Ofsted's report card from its 14 July 2026 inspection grades The Hereford Church of England Academy on 6 areas: 5 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders analyse attendance and behaviour data thoroughly."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed a broad and ambitious curriculum."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Inclusion is central to the school's ethos and vision."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, including those responsible for governance, are focused on further improving the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school has a carefully planned programme for pupils' personal development."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' attainment and progress in national assessments have remained below national averages over time."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "The school should continue its work with parents and external agencies to secure more regular attendance for all pupils"; "The school should ensure that all staff adapt their teaching and assessment consistently, to enable more pupils to achieve their potential"; "The school should increase opportunities to develop pupils' oracy across the curriculum".

From the headteacher's welcome: "As the Headteacher at The Hereford Church of England Academy, I am excited at the potential within this school. It has a uniquely caring and Christian identity as well as a clear wish to serve the local community that is evident in its pastoral as well as academic care."

Coming up: an open day on Friday 26 February 2027, an open day on Friday 26 March 2027 and an open day on Friday 2 July 2027 at 10am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at The Hereford Church of England Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 41.5, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.3 in Herefordshire, County of; and 47 across England.

30% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 42% in Herefordshire, County of; and 47% in England.

That is up from 39.6 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -1.09: pupils made well 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 34.1, against 46.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 12.2 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 20 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 115 families put The Hereford Church of England Academy as their first choice and 150 named it as one of their preferences, for 127 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to The Hereford Church of England Academy are Whitecross Hereford (2.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.1); Aylestone School (2.3 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 40.7); The Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School (2.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.3); and St Mary's RC High School (3.5 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 53.2).

The Hereford Church of England Academy's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

The Hereford Church of England Academy is one of 21 schools run by Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 113 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 67% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 36% to a further education college, 6% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

39.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 118 pupils (18.2%) received SEN support and 14 (2.2%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Hereford Rail Station, about 1.8 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Frome Avenue (opposite), 240 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 197 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Herefordshire, County of (4), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Hereford Church of England Academy issued 176 suspensions, 28.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The Hereford Church of England Academy are Marlbrook Primary School (0.2 miles), Our Lady's RC Primary School (0.6 miles), Riverside Primary School (0.7 miles) and St Martin's Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.