Fearnhill School, based in Letchworth, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a foundation school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.

Fearnhill School currently has around 601 pupils on roll, which is about 57% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 51.7% boys and 48.3% girls. Around 37.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.

Overall absence at the school is 11.5%. Persistent absence is recorded at 33.6%.

The majority of pupils are from a white british background (74.5%).

At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.

Around 98% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (88%) , including 40% who stay in school sixth forms and 45% progressing to further education , while 6% enter apprenticeships .

School Information

Address: Icknield Way West, Letchworth, SG6 4BA
Website: http://www.fearnhill.herts.sch.uk/
Telephone: 01462621200
School Type: Foundation school
Education phase: Secondary
Local authority: Hertfordshire
Headteacher / Principal: Mr Tim Spencer
Religious character: Does not apply
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Unique reference: 117504

Map

Ofsted Inspection

  • Overall effectiveness
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Management effectiveness

Ofsted inspection date: 13/09/2022

Safeguarding is effective

Pupils

General

Age Range: 11 - 18
Gender: Mixed
School Capacity: 1055
Number of Pupils: 601
Number of Boys: 311
Number of Girls: 290

Absence

SchoolEngland state-funded schools:
Overall absence: 11.5% 4%
Persistent absence: 33.6% 8.2%

Ethnicity

White British74.50%448
White and Black Caribbean4.00%24
Other White3.50%21
Other Mixed3.50%21
African3.00%18
Indian2.50%15
Unclassified2.00%12
Other (any other ethnic group)1.80%11
Caribbean1.20%7
White and Black African1.20%7
Irish1.00%6
Other Asian1.00%6
White and Asian0.70%4
Pakistani0.20%1
Gypsy/Roma0.00%0
Bangladeshi0.00%0
Chinese0.00%0
Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage)0.00%0
Other Black0.00%0

Education - Secondary

Progress 8 score

Progress 8: Average (0.27)
Of the 77 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in this school, 75 are included in this measure.
Progress 8 score (average over pupils)
School
0.27
Local authority average
0.17
England average
-0.03
Entering EBacc
School
22%
Local authority average
26%
England average
35%
Grade 5+ in English & maths GCSEs
School
30%
Local authority average
43%
England average
41%
Attainment 8 score
School
43.3
Local authority average
47.9
England average
44.6
EBacc average point score
School
3.7
Local authority average
4.2
England average
3.9
Staying in education or employment
School
98%

Nearby Schools

Nursery

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Nevells Road Nursery School
Nevells Road , SG6 4TS
- not rated 1,456 yd Local authority nursery school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Primary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Icknield Infant and Nursery School
Archers Way , SG6 4UN
- not rated 586 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Westbury Primary and Nursery School
West View , SG6 3QN
- not rated 796 yd Community school Yes Mixed More About School
Wilbury Junior School
Bedford Road , SG6 4DU
3out of 4 872 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
Wilbury Junior School
Bedford Road , SG6 4DU
- not rated 872 yd Community school No Mixed More About School
St Thomas More Roman Catholic Primary School
Highfield , SG6 3QB
- not rated 889 yd Voluntary aided school Yes Mixed More About School

Secondary

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
Fearnhill School
Icknield Way West , SG6 4BA
3out of 4 0 yd Foundation school No Mixed More About School
The Highfield School
Highfield , SG6 3QA
- not rated 999 yd Foundation school No Mixed More About School
The Highfield School
Highfield , SG6 3QA
3out of 4 999 yd Academy converter No Mixed More About School
The Da Vinci Studio School of Creative Enterprise
The Old Grammar School , Broadway SG6 3PA
- not rated 1,166 yd Studio schools No Mixed More About School
Norton School
Norton Road , SG6 1AF
- not rated 2,629 yd Community school Not Applicable Mixed More About School

Not applicable

Ofsted Overall Effectiveness Distance Establishment Type Has Nursery Classes Gender More Info
North Herts Education Support Centre
Briar Patch Lane , SG6 3LY
- not rated 1,129 yd Pupil referral unit Not Applicable Mixed More About School
St Francis College
Broadway , SG6 3PJ
- not rated 1,197 yd Other independent school Yes Girls More About School
St Francis College
Broadway , SG6 3PJ
- not rated 1,197 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School
St Christopher School
Barrington Road , SG6 3JZ
- not rated 1,856 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School
Garden City Montessori School
269 Icknield Way , SG6 4UE
- not rated 1,980 yd Other independent school Yes Mixed More About School

School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.