Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
About Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School is clearly a popular choice among local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 496 applications for 306 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.62. Of those applications, 307 were first-preference choices, and 297 of those first-preference families received an offer. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation in the community, though it's worth noting that the school does not publish a parent-view survey percentage, so we can't quantify satisfaction directly. The school is a large, mixed, non-denominational secondary in North East Derbyshire, with a headteacher named Martyn Cooper. It has a capacity of 1,809 but currently houses 1,854 pupils, meaning it is operating slightly above its official capacity. Around 18.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is in line with the national average for a state secondary.
Key Details
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 EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Jul 2023Source: Ofsted, 27 Sept 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
09:00 – 15:30
Source: dhfs.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
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SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
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Understanding School Catchment Areas
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