Ofsted: Good emoji_events #31 in Hertfordshire public Top 10% UK

Freman College

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMs Helen Loughran

corporate_fareFREMAN COLLEGE

location_onBuntingford, SG9 9BT

language Visit Website phone 1763271818

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2019

groups

Students

991

trending_up

Attainment 8

53.1

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#31 in Hertfordshire

#612 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Freman College is a Academy converter secondary school in Buntingford, serving ages 13-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Freman College is an academy converter in Buntingford, Hertfordshire, admitting pupils aged 13-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of FREMAN COLLEGE. The school has approximately 1,022 pupils on roll, of whom 12% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 53.1, placing the school #31 in Hertfordshire and #612 of 3,216 nationally. 52.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 29.1% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 18 A-level subjects. 53.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 27.3% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.25 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2019. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 0.8 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

53.1

Grade 5+ E&M

52.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)29.1%

Entering EBacc27.40%

EBacc APS4.63

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.58

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc30.40%

EBacc APS4.63

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.36

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc38%

EBacc APS4.40

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.68

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc37%

EBacc APS4.98

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc38%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.44

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc53%

EBacc APS4.85

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.45

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44%

EBacc APS4.77

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.25

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*11.6%

Achieving A*–A27.3%

Achieving A*–B53.8%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate97.3%

A-level subjects offered18

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.39

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils do significantly better than expected at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate95.80%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate98.70%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate97.6%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

11 June 2024

Inspection Report

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13 March 2019

Inspection Report

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12 November 2015

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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11 January 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2019-03-13

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-11-12

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2012-01-11

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

0.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.3%(3 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,022 pupils. During this period, there were 4 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.4%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,022	4	0.4%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,027	13	1.3%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	987	15	1.5%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	996	9	0.9%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,005	28	2.8%	8.2%	4
2022/23 (Summer term)	990	14	1.4%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	991	15	1.5%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,001	27	2.7%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	939	14	1.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	950	11	1.2%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	959	11	1.1%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	958	8	0.8%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	961	1	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	969	12	1.2%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	972	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	972	4	0.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	977	9	0.9%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	944	10	1.1%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	948	7	0.7%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	958	3	0.3%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	898	10	1.1%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	902	16	1.8%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	910	10	1.1%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	900	9	1.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	904	4	0.4%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	913	10	1.1%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Specific Learning Difficulty 60 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 30 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 27 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 22 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 14 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 14 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Profound & Multiple Learning 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

93.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

95.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

13.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree61%

agree35%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree44%

agree37%

disagree11%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree39%

agree18%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

not applicable37%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes21%

no79%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree54%

agree32%

disagree5%

strongly disagree8%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree73%

agree23%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree63%

agree32%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree56%

agree38%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree49%

agree49%

disagree3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree61%

agree33%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree52%

agree39%

disagree3%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes96%

no4%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Hertfordshire

Dame Alice Owen's School

Watford Grammar School for Boys

Watford Grammar School for Girls

Parmiter's School

St Clement Danes School

Sandringham School