Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School, Dronfield

In its own words: "The Department for Education introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values from September 2014, and to ensure they are actively promoted and adhered to in schools. Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We have a long and proud tradition of success from the original Dronfield Grammar School, endowed in 1579 by Henry Fanshawe, to the present day, attaining notable achievements across a spectrum of subjects and aspects of education. We firmly believe in our motto of ‘success with care’ and deliver this through our framework, structures and daily practices."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, drama, orchestra, chess, coding, Lego, STEM, art and photography.

Coming up: an open evening on Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 5pm, an open evening on Thursday 12 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 20 July 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 49.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.2 in Derbyshire and 47 across England.

52% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in Derbyshire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 50.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.08: pupils made about 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 37.6, against 52.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 14.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 25 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Art and Design.

For September 2026 entry, 294 families put Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School as their first choice and 452 named it as one of their preferences, for 301 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School are Meadowhead School Academy Trust (1.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.9); Whittington Green School (2.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 40.4); Newfield Secondary School (3.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.8); and King Ecgbert School (3.2 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 57.7).

Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Of the 300 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 90% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 45% to a further education college, 5% to an apprenticeship and 0% into work.

Of the 183 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 66% went on to university or other higher education, 9% to apprenticeships and 15% into work. 32% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

2.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 174 pupils (9.6%) received SEN support and 61 (3.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Dronfield Rail Station, about 160 metres away (roughly a 2-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Green Lane (adjacent), 80 metres away.

In 2024/25, Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School issued 183 suspensions, 9.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 6 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School are Dronfield Infant School (0.2 miles), Dronfield Junior School (0.2 miles), Dronfield Stonelow Junior School (0.3 miles) and Holmesdale Infant School (0.4 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.