SchoolScoresThe Island Free School
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of ISLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Newport Road, Ventnor, PO38 1BG
01983 857641 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 20 June 2017.
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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 15 June 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
121 pupils in this year group.
56% — 19 points above the Isle of Wight average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Isle of Wight | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 56% | 37% | 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. | 51 | 41.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.8 | 3.6 | 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.
124 pupils in this year group.
96% — 3 points above the Isle of Wight average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Isle of Wight | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 96% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 35% | 35% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | 1% | 13% |
| Further education college | 48% | 50% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 96% |
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 Isle of Wight. 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 about 2 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 111 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 204 |
| Of those, offered a place | 111 (54%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 308 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.7 · 2025: 1.7 · 2026: 1.8
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
| Pupils | This school | Isle of Wight | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.4% | 27.4%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 83% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.8% | 4.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4% | 16.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9% | 5.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Lower than 75% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 10.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Lower than 75% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2% | 30.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Lower than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.4 | 24.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Lower than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.7% | 7.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.48% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 17% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.0 | 17.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9 | 11.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Isle of Wight. Higher than 6% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 5.3% | 12.3%* | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is The Island Free School's Ofsted rating?
The Island Free School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 20 June 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 15 June 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Island Free School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 56% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points above the England average of 45%.
Is The Island Free School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 204 families put The Island Free School as their first choice for 111 places: about 2 first-choice applications for every place. 111 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 140691.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.