SchoolScoresCove School
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
St John's Road, Cove, Farnborough, GU14 9RN
01252 542397 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 21 January 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
109 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Hampshire comparisons use the 36 of its 72 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 36 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Hampshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 27th highest of 36 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hampshire. Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 81% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 25th highest of 36 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hampshire. Higher than 28% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 78% | 83% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 24th highest of 36 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hampshire. Higher than 31% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 74% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 47 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 21st highest of 34 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hampshire. Higher than 42% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 47% | 49% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 93 parents who had raised a concern 28th highest of 35 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hampshire. Higher than 30% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61% | 70% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 30 parents of children with SEND 9th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hampshire. Higher than 39% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 57% | 60% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 24th highest of 36 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hampshire. Higher than 33% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72%said yes | 78% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 11%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Hampshire figures pool parents at the Hampshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
186 pupils in this year group.
36% — 9 points below the Hampshire average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hampshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 36% | 45% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 42.7 | 45.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
198 pupils in this year group.
90% — 2 points below the Hampshire average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hampshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 6% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 36% | 40% | 13% |
| Further education college | 46% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 90% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Hampshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 179 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 142 |
| Of those, offered a place | 142 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 272 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.8
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 6 places for hearing impairment. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Hampshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Higher than 53% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 28.3% | 21.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.8% | 4.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Higher than 98% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 27.0% | 13.8%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.4% | 8.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Lower than 42% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8% | 8.4%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 21.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Lower than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 35.1 | 20.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Lower than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 7.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils | 0.50% | 0.09% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Higher than 29% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Farnborough. Higher than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7 | 11.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 10th highest of 67 state secondary schools in Hampshire. Higher than 78% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.3% | 13.2%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- The Sixth Form College Farnborough 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B average A level grade
- Bohunt Farnborough 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2022, before conversion) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Farnborough Hill 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 50% A*/A at A level
- Kings International College 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022, before conversion) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Salesian College 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 28% A*/A at A level
- The Wavell School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Frogmore Community College 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tomlinscote School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 63% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Cove School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 21 January 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Cove School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 36% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Cove School?
72% of the 109 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Cove School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Cove School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 142 families put Cove School as their first choice for 179 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 142 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 116446.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.