Classpot

Barclay Academy

Stevenage, SG1 3RBSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Apr 2023
Progress 8
+0.17
Above average
−20+2
Competition
0.7×
Not oversubscribed
123 1st-choice / 187 places
Ranking
#1,132
of 3,141 nationally

About Barclay Academy

Barclay Academy in Stevenage is a mixed state secondary with a sixth form, currently home to 992 pupils against a capacity of 1,181, meaning it has some room to grow. The proportion of students eligible for free school meals sits at 22.8%, a figure that is notably higher than the national average for secondary schools and suggests the school serves a community with above-average levels of economic disadvantage. Despite this, demand is strong: for entry in 2025/26, the school received 474 applications for 187 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.53. Of those, 123 were first-preference applications, and exactly 123 first-preference offers were made, indicating that every family who put Barclay first secured a spot. This combination of high demand and a relatively high FSM intake paints a picture of a school that is genuinely popular with local families across the socioeconomic spectrum, not just one segment of the community.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressWalkern Road, Stevenage, Stevenage, SG1 3RB
HeadteacherScarlett O'Sullivan
Local AuthorityHertfordshire
Number of Pupils992
Free School Meals (FSM)22.8%
School Capacity992 / 1,181 (84% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

18 Apr 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 14 Jun 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

13
Music RoomsSixth Form CentreSwimming PoolSports HallAstro TurfDining HallArt StudiosPlaying FieldsGymnasiumTheatreScience LabsTennis CourtsChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

17

Sports

TennisFootballCross CountryRugbyRoundersHockeyRowingAthleticsBadmintonNetball

Clubs & Activities

DebateDramaDuke of EdinburghArt ClubEco ClubNewspaperYoung Enterprise

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:30 – 15:10

Breakfast club

08:00-08:25

Source: barclay.futureacademies.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Barclay Academy

Barclay Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.