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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 117518

Barnwell School

Foundation school · Stevenage · SG2 9SW

Ages 11–18 · 1,270 pupils · Hertfordshire

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

39.6

Overall absence

10.8%

Admissions demand

0.83 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-01-06

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.32
−20+2
Attainment 839.6
English & maths grade 5+33%
English & maths grade 4+58%
EBacc entry8%

EBacc APS: 3.3

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence10.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)31.0%
Unauthorised4.5%
Authorised absence
6.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
5.4%
Enrolments in measure
1,296

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.83 · Often has places

1st preferences

176

Places offered

250

1st-preference offers

176

Total preferences (any rank)
370
Preferred offers (top 3)
214
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill80%

1,270 pupils · 1,590 places

Pupils on roll
1,270
Boys / girls
639 / 631
School capacity
1,590
Capacity fill
1,270 / 1,590 (80%)
Free school meals
31.3%
FSM pupils
372
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Foundation school

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Supported by a trust
Headteacher
Miss Maria Townsend

Location

Address
Barnwell
Postcode
SG2 9SW
Town
Stevenage
County
Hertfordshire
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
Stevenage
Constituency
Stevenage
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed foundation school (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 1,270 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 31.3%.

Open schools in Stevenage
42
Secondary schools in Stevenage
6
Academies among open schools in Stevenage
26% (11)
Open schools in SG2
22
Secondary in SG2
3
Open schools in Hertfordshire LA
591
Secondary in Hertfordshire LA
77

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in StevenageNear SG2

  • Marriotts School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Community school · Secondary

    Stevenage · SG2 8UT · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att839.6
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence9.9%

    1.0 miles away

  • The Nobel School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Stevenage · SG2 0HS · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att851.2
    • P80.4
    • EM5+51%
    • Absence7.6%

    1.5 miles away

  • Barclay Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Stevenage · SG1 3RB · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att848.4
    • P80.2
    • EM5+54%
    • Absence10.1%

    2.2 miles away

  • The Thomas Alleyne Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Stevenage · SG1 3BE · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att846.1
    • P80.0
    • EM5+50%
    • Absence8.5%

    2.3 miles away

  • The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Stevenage · SG1 4AE · Hertfordshire

    Ages 11–18

    • Att856.8
    • P80.7
    • EM5+64%
    • Absence5.5%

    2.7 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Miss Maria Townsend
Telephone
01438222500
Website
http://www.barnwellschool.co.uk/

Official links