Whitecross Hereford, Hereford

In its own words: "Leaders place great emphasis on pupils' personal development. They have focused on supporting pupils' mental health, personal growth and fostering positive attitudes to learning."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are delighted to invite prospective students, parents and carers to our annual Open Week to experience why we are rated the second highest performing secondary school in Herefordshire in 2026. Welcome to Whitecross High School, a vibrant and dynamic community where realising the potential of every student lies at the heart of everything we do."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include Duke of Edinburgh and cadets.

In 2026, pupils at Whitecross Hereford averaged an Attainment 8 score of 50.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.3 in Herefordshire, County of; and 47 across England.

41% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 42% in Herefordshire, County of; and 47% in England.

That is up from 46.5 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.3: 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 40.1, against 51.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.8 points.

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

For September 2026 entry, 193 families put Whitecross Hereford as their first choice and 343 named it as one of their preferences, for 186 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 11 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Whitecross Hereford are The Hereford Church of England Academy (2.1 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 41.5); Aylestone School (2.1 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 40.7); The Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School (2.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.3); and St Mary's RC High School (3.6 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 53.2).

Whitecross Hereford's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Of the 189 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 47% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

9.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 143 pupils (15.2%) received SEN support and 27 (2.9%) 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 Hereford Rail Station, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Three Elms Road (o/s 33), 20 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 67 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, Whitecross Hereford issued 87 suspensions, 9.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 2 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Whitecross Hereford are Trinity Primary School (0.1 miles), Holmer CofE Academy (0.9 miles), Lord Scudamore Primary Academy (1.2 miles) and St Thomas Cantilupe CofE Academy (1.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.