Is Harwich and Dovercourt High School a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 6 January 2026 under its report-card framework and graded five areas at Needs attention and one at Urgent improvement. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded F, 78th of 80 secondary schools in Essex. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are Harwich and Dovercourt High School's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at Harwich and Dovercourt High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 34.1 (England: 46.2). 23.4% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at Harwich and Dovercourt High School?

Applications for Year 7 places at Harwich and Dovercourt High School starting in September 2028 close on 31 October 2027. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2028 (or the next working day).

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Harwich and Dovercourt High School

Hall Lane, Harwich, CO12 3TG

Local ranking78th of 80 secondary schools in Essex

Ofsted: Needs attentionUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1300

Capacity

11-16

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 6 January 2026. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 6 January 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Placed in a category of concern: Requires significant improvement.

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Urgent improvement
Curriculum & teaching: Needs attention
Attendance & behaviour: Needs attention
Personal development & wellbeing: Needs attention
Leadership & governance: Needs attention
Inclusion: Needs attention

Scale: Exceptional · Strong · Expected · Needs attention · Urgent improvement

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 34.1 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 23.4% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 36.0% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 197

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 86.0%
Continued in education: 80.0%
Apprenticeships: 3.0%
Employment: 3.0%
Not sustained: 7.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 54.0%
Higher education: 15.0%
Apprenticeships: 5.0%
Employment: 33.0%
Not sustained: 46.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Avg A-Level Grade

20.0

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

A-Level Students

Applied General Avg Points: 21.7
16-18 Cohort: 18

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1091
Boys: 543 (51%)
Girls: 532 (49%)
Capacity: 1300 (83% full)
SEND: 21.6%
FSM Eligible: 42.5%
EAL: 3.9%
SEN with EHC Plan: 3.1%
SEN Support: 18.5%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 16.4:1
Teachers (FTE): 66.6
Budget per Pupil: £8,188/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 10.8% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 33.0% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy sponsor led
Phase: Secondary
Nursery: Not applicable
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 91.6%
White Other: 2.2%
Mixed White & Black Caribbean: 1.0%
Black African: 1.0%
Mixed White & Black African: 0.8%
Mixed Other: 0.8%
Mixed White & Asian: 0.6%
Asian Chinese: 0.5%

91.6%

White British

2.2%

White Other

1.0%

Mixed White & Black Caribbean

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01255245460

admin@hdhs.school

Visit website

Hall Lane

Harwich, East of England

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Administrative

URN: 145061
UKPRN: 10064876
Establishment No.: 4024
Trust: THE SIGMA TRUST

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