William Farr CofE Comprehensive School
Lincoln, LN2 3JB · Lincolnshire · secondary school
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13th of 54 secondary schools in Lincolnshire 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 — 7.1/10 against 878 of them, against 7.2/10 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 | 51.9 · 67 | 30% | 2.00 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.43 · 81 | 25% | 2.01 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.1 · 66 | 10% | 0.66 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
William Farr CofE Comprehensive School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. In 2024/25, 52.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.43 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than expected based on their starting points. 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 (7.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Art, Computer, Music Tech, Debating, Warhammer, Photography, LGBT+ Space, and Amnesty International clubs. Sports include rounders, athletics, tennis, football, and badminton. Arts and music offerings cover Young Voices, Mini Band, Orchestra, Drama, Choir, String group, and peripatetic tuition. Trips have included Normandy, Paris, Barcelona, Bormio, Washington, New York, ski trips, and West End tours.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,488 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,496. 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 who need extra help
What Ofsted said about William Farr CofE Comprehensive School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils appreciate core values such as ‘compassion, friendship, perseverance, respect, responsibility and wisdom’. Leaders have established a ‘well-thought-through curriculum’ that prepares students well for their next steps, with teachers acting as subject experts who use assessment skilfully. The school fosters a positive environment where bullying is rare and personal development is a notable strength.
Strengths
- Pupils are ‘well behaved, thoroughly engaged and focused on their learning’ in lessons.
- The school promotes a ‘love of reading’ and provides helpful support for early readers.
- Personal development is strong, with a ‘well-planned and thorough personal, social and health education curriculum’.
- Staff feel ‘trusted by leaders’ and appreciate opportunities for professional development and workload management.
- Sixth-form students act as ‘positive role models’ and value the care and support they receive.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum is not yet successfully adapted for pupils with SEND in a few subjects, preventing some from achieving as well as they could.
- Some disadvantaged pupils do not fully benefit from the ‘rich extra-curricular activities’ offered.
- The behaviour policy ‘lacks clarity’ about managing incidents of poor behaviour, leading to inconsistent management by staff.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a ‘strong safeguarding ethos’ and well-trained staff, although records do not always reflect the full extent of support provided to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 51.5 |
| 2024/25 | 50.8 |
| 2025/26 | 49.1 |
| 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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