Ofsted: Good

Brandles School

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

personMr Paul Smith

corporate_fareLARWOOD ACADEMY TRUST

location_onBaldock, SG7 6EY

language Visit Website phone 1462896351

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

trending_up

Attainment 8

2.6

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#108 in Hertfordshire

#4,405 of 4,663 nationally

summarize

Brandles School is a Academy special sponsor led school in Baldock, serving ages 11-16. Rated Good by Ofsted.

article

School Summary

Brandles School is an academy special sponsor led in Baldock, Hertfordshire, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of LARWOOD ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 70 pupils on roll, of whom 70% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 2.6, placing the school #108 in Hertfordshire and #4,405 of 4,663 nationally. 0.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 8.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 39.2 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

2.6

Grade 5+ E&M

0.00%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS0.15

2024

Progress 8 Score

-2.46

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

3.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS0.24

2023

Progress 8 Score

-2.83

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

5.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.28

2022

Progress 8 Score

-2.5

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

7.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.35

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS-

explore

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

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

77%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)69%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)23%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

64%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)64%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)36%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

04 June 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2024-06-04

Academy First Section 5 EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2018-02-20

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection EIF

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Inadequate

2014-02-26

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

37.1%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

22.9%(16 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 70 pupils. During this period, there were 26 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 37.1%, which is above 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)	70	26	37.1%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	68	28	41.2%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	70	26	37.1%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	70	21	30.0%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	70	43	61.4%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	69	44	63.8%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	69	33	47.8%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	54	23	42.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	62	6	9.7%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	61	11	18.0%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	61	16	26.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	60	27	45.0%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	60	2	3.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	61	21	34.4%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	0	11	-	3.2%	0

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

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 62 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 7 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 1 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

53.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

47.0%Positive

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

20.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree7%

agree40%

disagree13%

strongly disagree33%

don't know7%

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

strongly agree13%

agree33%

disagree33%

strongly disagree20%

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

strongly agree33%

agree27%

disagree20%

strongly disagree20%

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

yes100%

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

strongly agree40%

agree27%

disagree27%

strongly disagree7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree33%

agree33%

disagree7%

strongly disagree20%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree20%

agree33%

disagree13%

strongly disagree33%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree27%

agree47%

disagree13%

strongly disagree13%

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

strongly agree27%

agree27%

disagree13%

strongly disagree27%

don't know7%

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

strongly agree33%

agree27%

disagree13%

strongly disagree27%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree27%

agree47%

strongly disagree20%

don't know7%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes60%

no40%

Brandles School

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

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

Staffing

Teacher Turnover