"Individual students are challenged, supported and encouraged; they comment that they feel valued and consider themselves fortunate to attend the school. The students’ personal development and their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development are outstanding." – Ofsted
A very warm welcome
Welcome to the Sir John Lawes website. For over 70 years Sir John Lawes School has been delivering an outstanding education for all students in our care and I hope within these pages you will discover something of how we combine the best of traditional values with the very latest in teaching methods and technologies.
Our National Teaching School status reflects the importance we place on recruiting and developing the very highest-quality staff in all areas of the organisation. Our 4th consecutive Artsmark Gold award demonstrates the emphasis we place on creativity for all students and our position as a National Support School, shows how strongly we believe in sharing good practice to bring about school improvement.
We are also very aware of our responsibilities to the wider community and awards such as our Oxfam Lead School status are evidence of our students’ awareness of the role they play as global citizens.
Claire Robins, Headteacher
Latest News
26 February 2014
School telephone system issues
We are pleased to report that the problems have now been resolved and the school's phone lines are operating normally. Thank you for your patience.
14 February 2014
Announcement re proposed new secondary school for Harpenden
Dear Parents and Carers, As some of you may already know, there are plans to provide a new secondary school for Harpenden and the immediate surrounding area. We are pleased to announce that these plans are now proceeding rapidly and we are now able to invite you to find out more at an information and public presentation event.
28 January 2014
SJL receives congratulations from the Minister of State for Schools
We were proud to receive a letter of congratulations on our GCSE results from the Rt Hon David Laws MP, Minister of State for Schools. See copy below.
20 January 2014
Twilight Inset - Thursday 23 January
A reminder that there will be a Twilight Inset on Thursday 23 January and school will close at 12.30pm. Bus times will remain unchanged so if parents would like us to look after their children until the normal bus time of 3.30pm, a place should be booked with reception at least two working days before the Twilight Inset day. This is vital for health and safety regulations and insurance purposes. Please note that there will not be a lunchtime service for students in the dining room, so students staying in school for the afternoon should bring a packed lunch.
06 January 2014
Proposed Changes to Admissions Arrangements 2015/2016
Hertfordshire County Council is proposing to simplify its secondary admission arrangements for the school year 2015/16 and is seeking the views of parent/carers, schools and community groups. Sir John Lawes School uses similar admission arrangements to the county council and is proposing to make the same change .
04 December 2013
New Secondary School for Harpenden
We recognise the need to establish a fourth secondary school in Harpenden and wish to engage constructively with the process. As a result the three Harpenden secondary schools are working together with the Hertfordshire Free School Company on developing the education plan for a submission to the DfE to open a local secondary free school.