William Farr CofE Comprehensive School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Church of England · Sixth form

Part of WILLIAM FARR CHURCH OF ENGLAND COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL

Lincoln Road, Welton, Lincoln, LN2 3JB

01673 866900 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 19 October 2022
Grade 5 or above in English and maths53%England 45% · 2024/25
3rd highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Higher than 70% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,488Room for 1,496 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,450 in 2019, 1,444 in 2021, 1,448 in 2022, 1,428 in 2023, 1,444 in 2024, 1,479 in 2025, 1,488 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.2269 for 228 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 13 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Higher than 80% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 October 2022.

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.

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Results

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

240 pupils in this year group.

53% — 11 points above the Lincolnshire average, and 8 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolLincolnshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 53% 42% 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. 50.8 45.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.0 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 63%This school 2023/24: 54%This school 2024/25: 53% This school England 45% 2022/23 63% 2023/24 54% 2024/25 53%

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.

236 pupils in this year group.

95% — 3 points above the Lincolnshire average, and 3 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 53%33%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolLincolnshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 95% 92% 92%
School sixth form 53% 40% 34%
Sixth form college 1% 4% 13%
Further education college 33% 41% 37%
Apprenticeship 6% 4% 3%
Work 1% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
97%95%

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

128 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolLincolnshireEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 32% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 59% 52% 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. 37.6 34.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 34.6This school 2023/24: 36.0This school 2024/25: 37.6 This school England 35 2022/23 34.6 2023/24 36.0 2024/25 37.6

A level subjects, 2024/25

29 subjects, 392 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 38 0% 13% 19%
Biology 36 8% 25% 27%
Mathematics 31 19% 45% 40%
History 29 3% 31% 23%
Business Studies:Single 21 10% 29% 16%
Chemistry 20 10% 30% 30%
Sociology 20 5% 15% 20%
Geography 19 5% 42% 23%
Government and Politics 19 11% 58% 26%
Art and Design (Photography) 15 27% 53% 26%
Film Studies 14 0% 7% 17%
English Literature 13 8% 15% 23%
Religious Studies 13 8% 8% 22%
English Language and Literature 12 17% 17% 16%
Physics 11 9% 45% 31%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 10 30% 70% 38%
Drama and Theatre Studies 10 0% 20% 19%
Art and Design (Graphics) 9 44% 78% 32%
Music 8 0% 13% 29%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 7 0% 14% 15%
Mathematics (Further) 7 29% 71% 59%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 7 14% 14% 17%
Computer Studies / Computing 6 0% 17% 24%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: French, Spanish, Design and Technology (Engineering), Arabic, Latin, Russian.

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.

95% — 13 points above the Lincolnshire average, and 16 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolLincolnshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 95% 82% 79%
Apprenticeship 6% 9% 7%
Work 23% 29% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
88%95%

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.

119 students in this year group.

78% — 18 points above the Lincolnshire average, and 18 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolLincolnshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 78% 60% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 36% 19% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
81%78%

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 Lincolnshire. 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 1 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered228
Families who put it first269
Of those, offered a place220 (82%)
Families who listed it at all509

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.2

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.

This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.

Admissions dates and schools in Lincolnshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolLincolnshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
14th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
16.4% 27.4%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
7th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.2% 3.3%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
11th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Higher than 30% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
11.2% 13.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.8% 11.6%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
4th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Lower than 72% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.0% 8.1%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
4th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Lower than 77% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
17.6% 23.0%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
4th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Lower than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
8.3 25.6 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
4th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Lower than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
3.9% 7.9% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.31% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
3rd highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Higher than 78% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.2 16.7 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 3rd highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Higher than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.4 11.3 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
11th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Lincoln.
Higher than 30% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
10.2% 11.5%* 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 William Farr CofE Comprehensive School's Ofsted rating?

William Farr CofE Comprehensive School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 October 2022.

How did William Farr CofE Comprehensive School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 53% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 8 points above the England average of 45%.

Is William Farr CofE Comprehensive School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 269 families put William Farr CofE Comprehensive School as their first choice for 228 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 220 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.