The Arnewood School

About The Arnewood School

The Arnewood School in the New Forest received an Inadequate rating from Ofsted following its most recent graded inspection in March 2024, a significant downgrade from the Good rating it held in its previous inspection in 2018. The inspection report highlighted serious concerns with behaviour and attitudes, which were also rated Inadequate, while leadership and management, along with quality of education, were judged as Requires improvement. The school's sixth form provision fared better, retaining a Good rating. The most telling academic metric is the school's Progress 8 score of -0.84, which places it in the 'Well below average' banding nationally. This means that, on average, pupils at Arnewood achieved nearly a grade less per subject across eight GCSEs than pupils with similar starting points elsewhere. The school ranks 9th out of 10 secondary schools in the New Forest local authority area, and sits in the bottom 50 nationally, at the 94th percentile.

At Key Stage 4, the school's Attainment 8 score stands at 36.9, well below the national average, and only 23% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc average point score is 3.14, with just 6.8% of pupils entering and achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above. The local authority average Progress 8 score is -0.17, meaning Arnewood's performance of -0.84 is significantly weaker than the typical school in Hampshire. At Key Stage 5, the picture is slightly more positive but still below average. The school's value-added score is -0.36, with a 'Below average' progress banding, and pupils achieved an average of 32.79 points per entry, equivalent to a C+ grade. The best three A-levels averaged a C+ grade with 33.23 points, and 22.6% of entries were graded AAB or higher.

The school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, with 174 applications for 122 places and 122 first-preference offers, giving a ratio of 1.43 applicants per place. It is a mixed, non-denominational secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 18, with a current roll of 900 against a capacity of 1,200. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 26.2%, above the national average. Facilities are extensive and include a swimming pool, sports hall, astro turf, theatre, and a dedicated sixth form centre. The school offers a wide range of sports and clubs, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Model UN, and Young Enterprise. SEND provision covers nine categories, including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Speech, Language & Communication needs, and Social, Emotional & Mental Health difficulties. This school may suit families who value its broad facilities and sixth form provision, but who are prepared for the challenges highlighted by the recent inspection and below-average academic outcomes.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About The Arnewood School

Helpful Guides for Parents