Marshfields School, Peterborough
Marshfields School is a special school for pupils aged 7 to 19 in Peterborough. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in September 2023.
- Ofsted
- Good (2023)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Marshfields School in detail
Marshfields School in its own words
In its own words: "Marshfields School is a vibrant special school for 191 students aged 7-16 with learning difficulties and additional needs. At its core is a strong belief that every student matters, with high expectations for their health, happiness, independence and achievement."
From the headteacher's welcome: "All the staff, governors and students at Marshfields are very proud of our school. Marshfields School is a strong and vibrant special school with places for 191 students aged 7-19 years who have learning difficulties and additional needs."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Marshfields School are Medeshamstede Academy (0.8 miles, Requires improvement); NeneGate (1.2 miles); The Beeches Independent School (2.2 miles, Requires improvement, selective); and Heltwate School (2.2 miles, Good).
Medeshamstede AcademyNeneGateThe Beeches Independent SchoolHeltwate School
Where pupils go next
Of the 26 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 92% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 46% to a further education college.
Who goes there
55.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 16.6% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
Almost every pupil at Marshfields School has an education, health and care plan (205 of 205 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.
Marshfields School provides for pupils with moderate learning difficulties.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Peterborough Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.
11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ash Close (adjacent), 190 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Marshfields School issued 30 suspensions, 15.7 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its September 2023 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Sixth form.
At a Glance
55.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
MLD
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Social & online
Keep up with Marshfields School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Marshfields School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Marshfields School is in Peterborough; for families living there:
- Peterborough's school travel policy: Mainstream school transport assistance policy
- How to apply: Apply online for school transport for 4 to 16 year olds
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 10
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 4
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 10 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 7 slight.
4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Peterborough is 16 (the median across 91 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
107%
Over capacity
205 pupils
191 places
14 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Peterborough
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Peterborough
Across Peterborough council
Places available
3,127
Applications
2,762
Got 1st preference
82.9%
Got preferred school
96.6%
All secondary applications across Peterborough council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
205
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Marshfields School provides for pupils with moderate learning difficulties.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
205
Total Pupils
125
Boys
80
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
29
Teachers
7.1:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£51,215
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
10.2%
Overall absence
28.1%
Persistent absence
171
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Marshfields School
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Marshfields School
What are GCSE results like at Marshfields School?
In the 2025 results, pupils at Marshfields School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 0.8. 0% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is Marshfields School's Ofsted rating?
Marshfields School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2023.
What is the catchment area for Marshfields School?
No fixed boundary. When Marshfields School is oversubscribed, Peterborough allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Marshfields School?
Marshfields School has around 205 pupils on roll. 56% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Marshfields School have specialist SEN provision?
Marshfields School provides for pupils with moderate learning difficulties.
What is attendance like at Marshfields School?
10.2% of sessions were missed at Marshfields School in 2024/25. 28.1% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Marshfields School?
Apply through Peterborough's coordinated admissions process, naming Marshfields School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Marshfields School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 10 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 7 slight. 4 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Peterborough is 16 (the median across 91 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Marshfields School?
Marshfields School is at Eastern Close, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 4PP.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)