Sir Frederick Gibberd College, Harlow

In its own words: "At SFG we believe every young person should thrive at school, every young person should have goals and dreams, and every young person should leave us having gained the qualifications, skills and habits to be successful in life."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Since our establishment in September 2019, our journey has been unconventional, marked by its unique challenges, and we are immensely proud of the dedication, kindness, and resilience displayed by our students and staff. Coupled with the unwavering support from our community, SFG has truly become an extraordinary place to learn and grow."

In 2026, pupils at Sir Frederick Gibberd College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 44.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.5 in Essex and 47 across England.

42% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Essex and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 44.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.09: 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 34.4, against 48.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 13.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Social Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 123 families put Sir Frederick Gibberd College as their first choice and 349 named it as one of their preferences, for 138 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 Sir Frederick Gibberd College are St Mark's West Essex Catholic School (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50); Stewards Academy - Science Specialist, Harlow (0.6 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 40.1); Bmat Stem Academy (0.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 29.9); and Passmores Academy (1.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 36.2).

Sir Frederick Gibberd College's 2026 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

Sir Frederick Gibberd College is one of 12 schools run by Bmat Education, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 40.7 in 2024/25.

116 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Sir Frederick Gibberd College (as of September 2025): 80% would recommend the school, 89% say their child is happy there and 75% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (93%); the weakest, that the school supports their child's wider development (69%).

Of the 116 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 95% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 54% to a further education college and 2% to an apprenticeship.

In 2026, 108 pupils (12.3%) received SEN support and 24 (2.7%) 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.

Sir Frederick Gibberd College had 63 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Harlow Town Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Salvation Army (outside), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 507 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Sir Frederick Gibberd College issued 251 suspensions, 29.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Sir Frederick Gibberd College are Abbotsweld Primary Academy (0.2 miles), William Martin Church of England Junior School (0.4 miles), St Luke's Catholic Academy (0.4 miles) and William Martin Church of England Infant and Nursery School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.