Barnwell School, Stevenage

Ofsted's report card from its 6 January 2026 inspection grades Barnwell School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 4 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Staff here are fully committed to supporting pupils with their welfare and readiness to learn."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a broad, increasingly ambitious curriculum."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate view of the school's many positives, such as its inclusive ethos and provision."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils at Barnwell are well prepared for life in modern Britain."

Post 16 provision - Expected standard. "Sixth-form students enjoy their studies."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Too many pupils who do not attend school regularly miss essential aspects of learning and develop significant gaps in their knowledge."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Some groups of pupils do not attend school as often as they should."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that effective strategies are in place to improve attendance for all groups of pupils"; "Leaders should continue to support staff to embed and sustain high-quality teaching across the curriculum so that all pupils achieve highly".

From the headteacher's welcome: "We were delighted to welcome our Year 6 students and their f... We look forward to welcoming you to Upper Campus on the 7th ... 🌟 BBC Young Hero Winner! 🌟 We are absolutely delighted to c..."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, dance, drama and photography.

Coming up: an open evening on Monday 2 November 2026 and an open evening on Thursday 19 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Barnwell School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 38.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 50.6 in Hertfordshire and 47 across England.

33% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 53% in Hertfordshire and 47% in England.

That is down from 41.5 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.32: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 29.9, against 41.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 12 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 27 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and History.

For September 2026 entry, 94 families put Barnwell School as their first choice and 246 named it as one of their preferences, for 195 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Barnwell School are Marriotts School (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 41.8); The Nobel School (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49); Barclay Academy (2.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48); and The Thomas Alleyne Academy (2.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 44.9).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Barnwell School.

117 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Barnwell School (as of April 2026): 70% would recommend the school, 64% say their child is happy there and 52% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (70%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (52%).

Of the 217 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 56% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 51 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 31% went on to university or other higher education, 14% to apprenticeships and 39% into work. 5% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

The nearest railway station is Stevenage Railway Station, about 1.7 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Barnwell (near), 250 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 234 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Barnwell School issued 509 suspensions, 38.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Barnwell School are Peartree Spring Primary School (0.2 miles), Featherstone Wood Primary School (0.4 miles), Longmeadow Primary School (0.4 miles) and Shephalbury Park Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.