James Marks Academy, Welwyn Garden City
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
James Marks Academy excels at helping pupils build confidence and self-esteem in a calm, caring environment. With expert staff trained in autism and mental health support, the school removes barriers to learning and helps pupils catch up from significant gaps. Parents speak warmly about the considerable difference the school makes to their children's and families' lives.
Key Strengths
- Strong academic progress across all key stages, including GCSE and A-level qualifications
- Highly inclusive culture with expert support for mental health, anxiety and complex needs
- Excellent attendance improvements through targeted family support
- Positive behaviour underpinned by clear routines and respectful relationships
- Ambitious, well-designed curriculum with skilled, well-trained staff
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Flight simulation, circuit training, nature walks, dungeons and dragons club, chess club, crochet club, horticulture, practical cookery, theatre visits, university visits, work-related learning visits
James Marks Academy is a special educational needs school where pupils with autism and other disabilities achieve well academically, socially and emotionally. The school has a highly inclusive, nurturing culture where pupils thrive despite many having experienced previous educational disruption.
At a Glance
21.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
0.0
Avg class size
0
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
103%
Over capacity
62 pupils
60 capacity
2 places over capacity
Area Demand Pressure - Welwyn Garden City
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Welwyn Garden City
Admissions Demand - Hertfordshire
Places available
15,354
Applications
13,699
Got 1st preference
75.8%
Got preferred school
94.7%
Secondary admissions across Hertfordshire (2025/26)
Inspection History
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
Pupil Absence2024/25
24.33425%
Overall absence
65.11628%
Persistent absence
43
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
James Marks Academy
Commonswood Primary & Nursery School
Swallow Dell Primary and Nursery School
Holwell Primary School
Creswick Academy
Our Lady Catholic Primary School
Watchlytes Primary School
Peartree Primary School
Panshanger Primary School
Springmead Primary School
The Ryde School
Nearby Schools
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