SchoolScoresSir Frederick Gibberd College
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of BMAT EDUCATION
Tendring Road, Harlow, CM18 6RN
01279 307235 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 3 December 2024, 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 | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
116 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Harlow comparisons use the 4 of its 7 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 3 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 | Harlow | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harlow. Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 79% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harlow. Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 80% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harlow. Higher than 86% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 75% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 31 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harlow. Higher than 93% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 54% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 86 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harlow. Higher than 59% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 67% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 30 parents of children with SEND 7th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 51% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | – | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Harlow. Higher than 50% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 80%said yes | 73% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 14%). 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. Harlow figures pool parents at the Harlow 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
112 pupils in this year group.
44% — about the same as the Essex average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 44% | 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 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 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.
A levels (16 to 18), 2023/24
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | Not published | C+ | C+ |
| A level exams graded A* or A | – | 24% | 25% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | – | 50% | 51% |
| 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. | Not published | 33.5 | 34.4 |
"Not published": No pupils were entered.
Average A level grade, over time
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|
| B- | Not published |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2023/24. 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 Essex. 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 | 138 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 123 |
| Of those, offered a place | 123 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 349 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 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 | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 55% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 29.0% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.9% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 36% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.5% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Lower than 43% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Lower than 53% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.9% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Lower than 24% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 29.8 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Lower than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.36% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 12% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.6 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 65% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2% | 13.3%* | 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
- St Mark's West Essex Catholic School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stewards Academy - Science Specialist, Harlow 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bmat Stem Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 15% grade 5+ English and maths
- Passmores Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 21% grade 5+ English and maths
- Burnt Mill Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mark Hall Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Saint Nicholas School 2.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sir Frederick Gibberd College's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 3 December 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Sir Frederick Gibberd College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 44% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Sir Frederick Gibberd College?
80% of the 116 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Sir Frederick Gibberd College to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Sir Frederick Gibberd College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 123 families put Sir Frederick Gibberd College as their first choice for 138 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 123 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 143697.
- 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, A levels 2023/24.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.