Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
Dronfield, S18 2FZ · Derbyshire · secondary school
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13th of 45 secondary schools in Derbyshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 6.1/10 against 887 of them, against 6.3/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 52.0 · 67 | 30% | 2.01 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.08 · 56 | 25% | 1.39 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.4 · 68 | 10% | 0.68 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.08 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (6.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Chess, Art, Crochet, Book, Science, Film, Drama, and Orchestra clubs. Sports include Benchball, Rounders, Football, Netball, and Dodgeball. Arts and music options feature School of Rock, Craft club, and Online Philosophy Club. Trips include a German exchange, KS4 Spanish and French trips, a Drama London residential, and a visit to the National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,810 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,809. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school manage the current over-cap
What Ofsted said about Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
Overview
Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School is described as a “calm and pleasant” environment where pupils are “responsible, resilient and reflective learners.” The report highlights “exceptional” behaviour and “extremely positive” relationships between staff and pupils, resulting in high attendance and a strong sense of safety.
Strengths
- Behaviour is “exceptional,” with bullying being “rare” and dealt with “swiftly.”
- The curriculum is “broad and ambitious,” featuring “rigorous and challenging texts” in subjects like English.
- Teachers possess “strong” subject knowledge and explain concepts “clearly,” leading to high-quality pupil work.
- Personal development is “very impressive,” preparing pupils to be “well-rounded and respectful citizens.”
- Sixth-form provision is a “real strength,” with students achieving “exceptionally well” and receiving effective feedback.
Areas to improve
- The use of ‘pupil passports’ to support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is “not yet fully embedded across the curriculum.”
- Consequently, “some pupils with SEND do not achieve as well as they could” and do not always receive the support needed to access the curriculum successfully.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff receiving “effective safeguarding training” and taking “swift action to support pupils.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.9 |
| 2024/25 | 50.0 |
| 2025/26 | 49.4 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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