The short version
Average GCSE results. At capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2020).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 42.7 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2020
- This school does not have a sixth form
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
42.7
1.1 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
36%
6.3pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
36%
Source: 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
90%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
84%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
4%
Employment
Directly into work
3%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
7%
Based on 198 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 16 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
22% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
4% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 18 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 11 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 91 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Foundation school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 1,010
- Capacity
- 96%
- FSM
- 27.3%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Hampshire
- Head
- Dr Andrew King (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- No
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
13 official reports linked on this page, including 12 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection: Good
January 2020 | School Inspection
Monitoring visit
December 2018 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
September 2017 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
November 2015 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
June 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
March 2015 | Monitoring Visit
Monitoring visit
September 2014 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Inadequate
March 2014 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Good
May 2011 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
July 2009 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Satisfactory
June 2008 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
November 2004 | Full Inspection
Location
St John's Road, Cove, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 9RN
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmCove Infant School
Primary · Very close
Cove Junior School
Primary · Very close
Manor Infant School
Primary · 482m away
Manor Junior School
Primary · 482m away
Parsonage Farm Nursery and Infant School
Primary · 766m away
Guillemont Junior School
Primary · 909m away
Oak Farm Community School
Secondary · 937m away
Samuel Cody School
Special school · 1.1km away
Questions parents ask
Is Cove School a selective school?
No. Cove School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is Cove School's Ofsted rating?
Cove School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in January 2025. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend Cove School?
Cove School currently has 1,010 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does Cove School take?
Cove School caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is Cove School?
Cove School is in Farnborough, GU14 9RN, in the Hampshire local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does Cove School have a sixth form?
No, Cove School does not have a sixth form. Pupils move to a different school or college for post-16 study.
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