SchoolScoresFearnhill School
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of Letchworth Garden City Education Partnership
Icknield Way West, Letchworth, SG6 4BA
01462 621200 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 21 April 2026 , published 7 June 2026.
In short: 6 expected, 1 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
105 pupils in this year group.
27% — 27 points below the Hertfordshire average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 27% | 53% | 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. | 38.9 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.6 | 4.6 | 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.
77 pupils in this year group.
94% — about the same as the Hertfordshire average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 35% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 49% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 94% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
19 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 4% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 26% | 58% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 24.7 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
14 subjects, 50 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 9 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Mathematics | 6 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
| Psychology | 6 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Geography, History, Art and Design (3d Studies), Biology, Media/Film/Tv Studies, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Art and Design (Fine Art), Chemistry, Computer Studies / Computing, Film Studies.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
36 students in this year group.
94% — 12 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 94% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 36% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 94% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
24 students in this year group.
75% — 12 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 15 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 75% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 29% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 67% | 75% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 Hertfordshire. 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 | 86 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 76 |
| Of those, offered a place | 76 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 254 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
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
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 39.3% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 16th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 72% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 55th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 53rd highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.5% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 70th lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 15% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 67th lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 17% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 31.0% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 71st lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 34.9 | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 70th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 22% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.33% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 77th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 8% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 71st highest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 40th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 42% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0% | 12.7%* | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Highfield School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Francis College 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 62% A*/A at A level
- St Christopher School 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 27% A*/A at A level
- The Priory School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hitchin Girls' School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 69% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hitchin Boys' School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 4 exceptional, 3 strong · 67% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Knights Templar School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Kingshott School 2.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Pix Brook Academy 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Etonbury Academy 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2025 · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Fearnhill School's Ofsted rating?
Fearnhill School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 21 April 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 6 expected, 1 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did Fearnhill School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 27% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 19 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Fearnhill School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 76 families put Fearnhill School as their first choice for 86 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 76 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 117504.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.