Fearnhill School
Letchworth, SG6 4BA · Hertfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
74th of 78 secondary schools in Hertfordshire we can score, 82 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 2.9/10 against 516 of them, against 1.8/10 nationally. 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 | 13 | 35% | 0.47 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 18.6 · 3 | 30% | 0.08 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.14 · 39 | 25% | 0.98 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.5 · 10 | 10% | 0.11 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Fearnhill School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 26.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.14, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 597 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,055. 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 support pupils to close the gap between their current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students entering from similar backgrounds? How does the new Ofsted framework affect the current teaching and learning strategies in core subjects?
What Ofsted said about Fearnhill School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have established an inclusive culture and effective support for pupils with barriers to learning. While most areas meet the expected standard, attendance remains low and requires urgent attention.
Strengths
- Leaders have created an "inclusive culture" with "high expectations" for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.
- "Impactful literacy intervention" has improved pupils’ grammar and spelling, enabling access to more complex curriculum areas.
- Staff receive "continuous, effective training" to develop subject knowledge and address misconceptions skilfully.
- The "personal development and wellbeing programme" is "coherent" and helps pupils understand social and moral values.
- Post-16 students benefit from an "ambitious, inclusive and welcoming" provision with effective careers guidance.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure processes to increase attendance are "accurately evaluated" and monitored effectively, as overall attendance remains low.
- Staff should "consistently develop their teaching and learning practice" across all subjects to support pupils in producing their highest standards of work.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.2 |
| 2024/25 | 38.9 |
| 2025/26 | 37.5 |
| 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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