Freman College, Buntingford

In its own words: "At Freman College we actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. These are fundamental to the ethos of the college and the way we work and treat each other."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Freman College is a community. We are committed to ensuring that all its members - students and staff alike - are supported to be happy and successful. We are very proud of the excellent quality of education we offer to all our students. Students flourish here and are well prepared for their next steps."

In 2026, pupils at Freman College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 51.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 50.6 in Hertfordshire and 47 across England.

54% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 53% in Hertfordshire and 47% in England.

That is down from 53.1 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.58: pupils made well above 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 54 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.4 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 25 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were History, Combined Science and Business Studies.

Across Hertfordshire, 77% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 95% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Hertfordshire lodged 722 appeals against secondary school offers; 515 reached a hearing and 92 succeeded (17.9% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to Freman College are Edwinstree Church of England Middle School (0.2 miles, Good); and Ralph Sadleir School (4.8 miles, Requires improvement).

Of the 230 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 91% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 29% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 130 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 49% went on to university or other higher education, 8% to apprenticeships and 32% into work. 27% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

11% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 3.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 139 pupils (13.3%) received SEN support and 24 (2.3%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Freman College.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Freman College (outside), 150 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 43 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hertfordshire (138).

In 2024/25, Freman College issued 21 suspensions, 2.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Freman College are Millfield First and Nursery School (0.6 miles), Layston Church of England First School (0.6 miles) and Buntingford First School (1.3 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.