Photo: Oast House Archive · CC BY-SA 2.0Higham’s state schools trail 76% of towns in England on results
In Higham, 31% of pupils got grade 5 or better in both English and maths GCSE, below both Kent’s towns (37%) and towns in England (45%). No state-funded school is located inside Higham’s built-up area. Higham grades C− for schools, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results: #61 of 87 in Kent. Ofsted is shown, not graded.
Town figures are pupil-weighted across the schools the grade uses; England’s are the average school.
Higham grades C− for schools
Against every town in England with results; Wales publishes none.
The primary figure lifts Higham; the secondary figure holds it back.
Higham has no primaries of its own with KS2 results, so the primary figure uses the 11 graded primaries in and within 3 km of the town (1,755 pupils in results). Higham has no secondaries of its own with GCSE results, so the secondary figure uses the 1 graded secondary in and within 3 km of the town (214 pupils in results). Mainstream state schools only (grammar schools included); special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19 colleges are listed below but not graded. Each school’s results are compared with every school in England, then weighted by its pupils.
How school places work in Higham
Kent County Council handles school applications for families in Higham. You apply to the council where you live, even for a school in another area.
When a school is full
Every school publishes its admissions rules. Children in care come first, then, at most schools, brothers and sisters of current pupils, then those who live nearest. Infant classes are limited to 30 by law. If you’re refused a place, you can appeal to an independent panel.
Useful: Apply for a primary place (GOV.UK) · Apply for a secondary place (GOV.UK) · How admissions criteria work
334th of 457 English towns of 2,500 to 4,000
Ranked by School Grade, best first: the towns either side of Higham, and the top and bottom of the group.
| # | Town | Schools | KS2 | Attainment 8 | Grade 5+ E&M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Collingham Nottinghamshire | A+ | 82% | — | — |
| … | |||||
| 330 | Tutbury Staffordshire | C− | 57% | — | — |
| 331 | Pimperne Dorset | C− | 58% | 43.2 | 37% |
| 332 | Navenby Lincolnshire | C− | 57% | — | — |
| 333 | Cherry Willingham Lincolnshire | C− | 60% | 41.8 | 32% |
| 334 | Higham Kent | C− | 60% | 43.7 | 31% |
| 335 | Newhey Greater Manchester | C− | 51% | 45.4 | 44% |
| 336 | Lower Stondon Bedfordshire | C− | 54% | 44.9 | 41% |
| 337 | Kingsbury Warwickshire | C− | 55% | 43.3 | 43% |
| 338 | Headcorn Kent | C− | 57% | — | — |
| … | |||||
| 457 | Watchet Somerset | D− | 29% | — | — |
Higham and the places around it
Coloured by School Grade.
| Town | Schools | KS2 | Att. 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higham 0 schools | C− | 60% | 43.7 |
| Shorne 1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 1.3 mi | C− | 60% | 40.6 |
| Cliffe Woods 1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 2.1 mi | C | 58% | — |
| Rochester 27 schools · 2.8 mi | B+ | 59% | 54.5 |
| Cuxton 2 schools · uses schools within 3 km · 3 mi | B+ | 60% | 54.5 |
| Chattenden 1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 3.2 mi | C | 59% | 42.3 |
| Gravesend 16 schools · 3.5 mi | B− | 57% | 48.7 |
| Cliffe 1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 3.5 mi | B+ | 65% | — |
Cliffe has the best-graded schools nearby (B+). Small places often use the schools within 3 km, so neighbours can share schools.
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Expected standard at Key Stage 2. The share of 11-year-olds who reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths together, in tests and teacher assessment at the end of primary school. We use DfE’s three-year average (2023–2025) to steady small schools.
- Higher standard. The share working at greater depth in all three.
- Attainment 8. A pupil’s GCSE grades across eight subjects, with English and maths counted twice, added up. 50 is roughly a grade 5 in every subject.
- Grade 5+ in English and maths. A strong pass in both. Grade 4 is a standard pass.
- Provisional. 2025/26 GCSE figures are DfE’s first release; revised figures follow in February, usually within a point.
- Progress 8. Not shown: there is none for 2025/26, because these pupils sat no KS2 tests in 2020 (Covid).
- Free school meals. Pupils eligible for free school meals now, from the January census: the usual measure of how many pupils come from low-income homes.
- Independent schools. Not included: they publish no results comparable with state schools’.
Questions about schools in Higham
Are schools in Higham good?
Higham’s state schools earn a C− against schools across England: primary results beat 40% of towns in England; secondary results beat 17% of towns in England, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results. School places are handled by Kent council.
How do I apply for a school place in Higham?
Through Kent County Council, for every state school including academies. Secondary applications close on 31 October (offers 1 March); primary on 15 January (offers 16 April).
How many state schools are in Higham?
0 open state-funded schools are located in Higham’s built-up area: 0 primary, 0 secondary and 0 other (special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19). Independent schools aren’t included.
Sources: DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), Key Stage 2 performance tables (2023–2025, three-year average) and Key Stage 4 (2025/26, provisional); Ofsted state-funded school inspections as at 30 September 2026 · DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), further-education and sixth-form colleges · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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