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OpenOfsted: Strong standardURN 149736

James Marks Academy

Free schools special · Welwyn Garden City · AL7 4RZ

Ages 11–18 · 62 pupils · Hertfordshire

Ofsted

Strong standard

Overall absence

32.0%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Strong standard

Inspection date

2026-06-09

  • AchievementStrong standard
  • Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
  • Leadership and governanceStrong 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)

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence32.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)68.4%
Unauthorised5.7%
Authorised absence
26.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
26.3%
Enrolments in measure
19

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill103%

62 pupils · 60 places

Pupils on roll
62
Boys / girls
35 / 27
School capacity
60
Capacity fill
62 / 60 (103%)
Free school meals
21.4%
FSM pupils
12
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools special

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: JAMES MARKS ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
JAMES MARKS ACADEMY TRUST
Headteacher
Mr Scott Martin

Location

Address
The Commons
Postcode
AL7 4RZ
Town
Welwyn Garden City
Local authority
Hertfordshire
District
Welwyn Hatfield
Constituency
Welwyn Hatfield
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 free schools special, Ages 11–18, in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, 62 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 21.4%.

Open schools in Welwyn Garden City
23
Academies among open schools in Welwyn Garden City
48% (11)
Open schools in AL7
14
Open schools in Hertfordshire LA
591

Nearby schools

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

Compare with theseAll in Welwyn Garden CityNear AL7

  • Holwell Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 3RP · Hertfordshire

    Ages 5–11

    • KS275%
    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM31.7%

    1.0 miles away

  • Creswick Academy

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 4FL · Hertfordshire

    Ages 4–11

    • FSM26.2%

    1.0 miles away

  • Ludwick Nursery School

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Local authority nursery school · Nursery

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 3RP · Hertfordshire

    Ages 2–5

    • FSM0.0%

    1.0 miles away

  • Our Lady Catholic Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 3TF · Hertfordshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS275%
    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM16.9%

    1.0 miles away

  • Watchlytes Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 2AZ · Hertfordshire

    Ages 3–11

    • Absence6.1%
    • FSM33.3%

    1.1 miles away

  • Peartree Primary School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Welwyn Garden City · AL7 3XW · Hertfordshire

    Ages 5–11

    • KS261%
    • Absence6.7%
    • FSM34.8%

    1.2 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Scott Martin

Official links