SchoolScoresFreman College
Academy · Secondary, ages 13 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of FREMAN COLLEGE
Bowling Green Lane, Buntingford, SG9 9BT
01763 271818 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 12 November 2015.
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 | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 12 June 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
177 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Hertfordshire comparisons use the 51 of its 82 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 31 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 | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 14th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 86% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 90% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 13th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 87% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 91% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 5th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 95% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 85% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 36 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 6th highest of 50 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 92% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 53% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 111 parents who had raised a concern Joint 5th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 96% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 78% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 4th highest of 51 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Hertfordshire. Higher than 95% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96%said yes | 87% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Hertfordshire figures pool parents at the Hertfordshire 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
259 pupils in this year group.
53% — about the same as the Hertfordshire average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 53% | 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. | 53.1 | 50.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.6 | 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.
213 pupils in this year group.
96% — about the same as the Hertfordshire average, and 4 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. | 96% | 95% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 52% | 58% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 2% | 13% |
| Further education college | 31% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 98% | 96% |
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
90 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 27% | 29% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 54% | 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. | 36.8 | 36.8 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
18 subjects, 249 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 27 | 19% | 48% | 40% |
| Biology | 25 | 8% | 16% | 27% |
| Psychology | 24 | 4% | 21% | 19% |
| Chemistry | 22 | 18% | 27% | 30% |
| Sociology | 22 | 9% | 32% | 20% |
| History | 21 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Business Studies:Single | 20 | 5% | 20% | 16% |
| Physics | 14 | 21% | 43% | 31% |
| Geography | 12 | 0% | 17% | 23% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 11 | 0% | 9% | 14% |
| English Language | 10 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Religious Studies | 8 | 25% | 25% | 22% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 7 | 29% | 57% | 38% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 7 | 57% | 86% | 26% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 7 | 0% | 29% | 17% |
| English Literature | 6 | 17% | 17% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Mathematics (Further), French.
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.
121 students in this year group.
93% — 11 points above the Hertfordshire average, and 14 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. | 93% | 82% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 21% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 93% |
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.
109 students in this year group.
63% — about the same as the Hertfordshire average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 63% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 22% | 24% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 70% | 63% |
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Hertfordshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 54th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1% | 17.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 44th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 42% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.6% | 3.0%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 28th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.7% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 80th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 15.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 33rd lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 37th lowest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 64% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.6% | 21.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 93% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1 | 13.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Lower than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.10% | 0.12% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 42nd highest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 39% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.3 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 31st highest of 81 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 80th highest of 82 state secondary schools in Hertfordshire. Higher than 3% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 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
- Edwinstree CofE Middle School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Freman College's Ofsted rating?
Freman College was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 November 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 12 June 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Freman College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 53% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Freman College?
96% of the 177 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Freman College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137002.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.