Friesland School
Sandiacre, NG10 5AF · Derbyshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
18th of 45 secondary schools in Derbyshire we can score. 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 — 6.1/10 against 760 of them, against 4.9/10 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 | 43.5 · 46 | 30% | 1.38 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.03 · 52 | 25% | 1.31 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.0 · 50 | 10% | 0.50 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Friesland School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 38.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.03 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join a homework club, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, and instrumental music lessons. An after-school club is also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,120 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,323. 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 reach the national median in Attainment 8? What specific support is available for students aiming for the Duke of Edinburgh Award? How does the after-school club integrate with the homework club for revision?
What Ofsted said about Friesland School
Overview
Friesland School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report describes a school where staff hold ‘high hopes’ for pupils, fostering a culture of ‘teamwork, honesty and respect’. Pupils feel ‘safe and happy’, benefiting from a ‘high-quality education’ and a ‘calm and orderly’ environment, though some inconsistencies in teaching and behaviour management remain.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘logically ordered’ and well-constructed, with subject specialists identifying key knowledge and using a ‘100% curriculum companion’ to clarify learning goals.
- Teachers possess ‘good subject knowledge’ and use effective methods like ‘strong modelling’ and ‘check and change’ to correct misconceptions when applied with fidelity.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well, with needs ‘accurately identified’ and teaching adapted via ‘pupil passports’.
- Reading is an ‘integral and effective part’ of the curriculum, supported by age-appropriate phonics and a ‘well-resourced library’.
- Sixth-form students benefit from staff expertise and feel ‘well prepared for their future next steps’.
Areas to improve
- Recent curriculum changes are not yet ‘securely and consistently embedded’, meaning some pupils lack the ‘depth of understanding’ set out in plans.
- Teaching methods are not used ‘consistently well by all teachers’, with some presenting too much information at once, hindering learning.
- The behaviour policy is not ‘consistently applied by some teachers’, leading pupils to feel it is ‘unfair’ and causing disruption in some lessons.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are ‘effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.9 |
| 2024/25 | 44.1 |
| 2025/26 | 46.0 |
| 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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