The short version
Average GCSE results. 83% capacity.
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 41.5 vs national 43.8)
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
41.5
2.3 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
37%
4.4pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
14%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
C
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
-0.46
Band 4Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
93%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
88%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
2%
Employment
Directly into work
3%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
5%
Based on 192 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 20 days per year on average — over a month of school.
27% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
5% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 17 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 11 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 121 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Foundation school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,315
- Capacity
- 83%
- FSM
- 29.3%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- Head
- Miss Maria Townsend (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
16 official reports linked on this page, including 15 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection
November 2021 | School Inspection
Monitoring visit
February 2021 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
October 2020 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
May 2019 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection
January 2018 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
January 2016 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
July 2014 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
June 2014 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection
December 2013 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
May 2012 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
March 2010 | 09 March 2010
Full inspection
February 2009 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
January 2007 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection
November 2005 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
October 1999 | Full Inspection
Location
Barnwell, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 9SW
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmGreenside School
Special school · 308m away
Peartree Spring Primary School
Primary · 360m away
Peartree Way Nursery School
Nursery · 589m away
Featherstone Wood Primary School
Primary · 624m away
Longmeadow Primary School
Primary · 694m away
Shephalbury Park Primary School
Primary · 796m away
Ashtree Primary Academy
Primary · 1.0km away
The Valley School
Special school · 1.0km away
Questions parents ask
Is Barnwell School a selective school?
No. Barnwell School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
How many pupils attend Barnwell School?
Barnwell School currently has 1,315 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Barnwell School take?
Barnwell School caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Barnwell School?
Barnwell School is in Stevenage, SG2 9SW, in the Hertfordshire local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Barnwell School have a sixth form?
Yes, Barnwell School has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
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