Freman College
Buntingford, SG9 9BT · Hertfordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
33rd 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 the 652 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.8/10 among them, against 7.8/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 53.5 · 70 | 30% | 2.10 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.58 · 87 | 25% | 2.18 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 51.8 · 77 | 10% | 0.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Freman College overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in July 2024. In 2024/25, 52.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 53.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.58 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.8 out of 10 among them, against 7.8 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Diversity Committee, participate in trampolining, swimming, and life-saving, or earn FA Junior Football Organisers and Royal Life Saving Society awards. Trips include ski, battlefields, and Greece excursions in 2027.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,049 pupils against a stated capacity of 903. 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
What specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the 2027 trips funded and organised?
What Ofsted said about Freman College
Overview
Freman College continues to be a good school, providing a friendly environment where pupils thrive and enjoy excellent relationships with staff. The report highlights a strong pastoral support system, high expectations for achievement, and a curriculum that builds in complexity to prepare pupils well for their next stage of life.
Strengths
- Pupils are described as "consistently kind and respectful," showing high levels of tolerance and ensuring peers feel included.
- The curriculum is "ambitious and delivered well," with teachers demonstrating "secure subject knowledge" and explaining new information clearly.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "very well supported," benefiting from high-quality teaching and targeted help.
- There is a "strong sense of team spirit" fostered through house competitions and a wide range of enrichment activities.
- Leaders work effectively with feeder schools, ensuring a "rich and varied curriculum experience" before pupils specialise in GCSE subjects.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must provide more opportunities for pupils to develop resilience and confidence, as some remain "passive in their learning" and reluctant to take risks.
- The school needs to ensure pupils receive support to build motivation and independence, reducing over-reliance on teacher direction.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.6 |
| 2024/25 | 53.1 |
| 2025/26 | 51.8 |
| 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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