Friesland School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of THE TWO COUNTIES TRUST

Nursery Avenue, Sandiacre, NG10 5AF

0115 939 7326 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 21 November 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths38%England 45% · 2024/25
25th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Higher than 35% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,120Room for 1,323 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,222 in 2019, 1,290 in 2021, 1,293 in 2022, 1,279 in 2023, 1,280 in 2024, 1,235 in 2025, 1,120 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.7120 for 173 places, September 2026
45th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Higher than 15% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 21 November 2023.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

127 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.

Derbyshire comparisons use the 26 of its 45 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 19 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.

StatementThis schoolDerbyshireEngland
My child is happy at this school
21st highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire.
Higher than 20% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
70% 79% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 17th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 82% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 17th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire.
Higher than 26% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
65% 72% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 52 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 13th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire.
Higher than 50% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
50% 47% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 110 parents who had raised a concern
14th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire.
Higher than 37% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
65% 65% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
19th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire.
Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
65%said yes 74% 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. Derbyshire figures pool parents at the Derbyshire 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

210 pupils in this year group.

38% — 5 points below the Derbyshire average, and 7 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDerbyshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 38% 43% 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. 44.1 45 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.1 3.9 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 42%This school 2023/24: 47%This school 2024/25: 38% This school England 45% 2022/23 42% 2023/24 47% 2024/25 38%

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.

218 pupils in this year group.

93% — 2 points above the Derbyshire average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 36%44%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolDerbyshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 93% 91% 92%
School sixth form 36% 34% 34%
Sixth form college 6% 5% 13%
Further education college 44% 41% 37%
Apprenticeship 5% 5% 3%
Work 3% 4% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
90%93%

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

63 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolDerbyshireEngland
Average A level grade C C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 16% 22% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 38% 48% 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. 29.7 33.0 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 32.9This school 2023/24: 28.0This school 2024/25: 29.7 This school England 35 2022/23 32.9 2023/24 28.0 2024/25 29.7

A level subjects, 2024/25

20 subjects, 185 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 34 3% 6% 19%
Business Studies:Single 22 5% 9% 16%
Biology 17 6% 12% 27%
Sociology 14 0% 7% 20%
English Literature 12 0% 8% 23%
Chemistry 10 0% 30% 30%
English Language and Literature 10 0% 0% 16%
Mathematics 10 10% 50% 40%
Geography 9 11% 22% 23%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 7 0% 0% 17%
Art and Design (Photography) 6 17% 33% 26%
History 6 0% 0% 23%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, Dance, Mathematics (Further), Physics, Spanish, Computer Studies / Computing, French, German.

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.

91 students in this year group.

92% — 7 points above the Derbyshire average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDerbyshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 92% 85% 79%
Apprenticeship 9% 11% 7%
Work 27% 27% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
90%92%

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.

94 students in this year group.

57% — 5 points below the Derbyshire average, and 3 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDerbyshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 57% 62% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 14% 21% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
61%57%

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 Derbyshire. 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 offered173
Families who put it first120
Of those, offered a place120 (100%)
Families who listed it at all395

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.7

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.

Admissions dates and schools in Derbyshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolDerbyshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
28th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
30.1% 30.9%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
37th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.4% 3.8%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
2nd highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
21.2% 14.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
19th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.5% 3.4%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
30th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Lower than 34% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.3% 8.4%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
27th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Lower than 50% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
23.5% 21.5%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
42nd lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Lower than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
54.7 24.2 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
33rd lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Lower than 28% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.9% 7.2% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils 0.16% 0.24% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 11th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Higher than 73% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.9 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 15th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Higher than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.4 11.5 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
Joint 18th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire.
Higher than 42% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
12.0% 12.0%* 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Friesland School's Ofsted rating?

Friesland School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 21 November 2023.

How did Friesland School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 38% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Friesland School?

65% of the 127 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Friesland School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Friesland School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 120 families put Friesland School as their first choice for 173 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 120 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.