The Island Free School
99%
Capacity
619
Pupils
2.4x
Demand
About The Island Free School
The Island Free School stands out sharply against the Isle of Wight average for secondary schools. While the local authority’s average Progress 8 score sits at -0.26, this school achieves a positive 0.24, meaning pupils here make significantly more academic progress than their peers across the island. That gap of half a grade per subject is substantial, and it places the school first out of six state secondaries in the local authority rankings. In the wider South East region, it sits in the top third of schools, and nationally it ranks within the top third too. The school is also heavily oversubscribed: for 114 places in the 2025/26 intake, it received 276 total applications, with 195 of those as first preferences. That level of demand — an oversubscription ratio of 2.42 — suggests local families see the school as a clear first choice, and the data backs that up.
Academically, the school delivers strong results across the board. Its Attainment 8 score of 49.1 is well above the national average, and 73.8 per cent of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in both English and maths, with 50.8 per cent reaching the higher grade 5 threshold. The EBacc entry rate is exceptionally high at 92.6 per cent, meaning almost all pupils take the full suite of academic subjects, and 41 per cent achieve the EBacc at grade 4 or above. Progress in maths is particularly strong, with a Progress 8 score of 0.37, while English comes in at 0.16. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in June 2023, confirmed it remains Good, with leadership and management also rated Good. The previous graded inspection in 2017 gave the same overall rating, so the school has held a consistent Good standard over time.
The school offers a broad range of facilities, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, sports hall, theatre, and dedicated music rooms and art studios. Sports on offer include netball, basketball, gymnastics, martial arts, and cross country, while clubs range from Model UN and debate to gardening, eco club, and orchestra. The school has no sixth form, so pupils leave at 16. For families with children who need extra support, the school lists provisions for a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. With 19.9 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a broadly representative intake. Given its strong academic outcomes, high demand, and wide extracurricular offer, this is a school that suits families who want a well-structured, academically ambitious secondary education within a state setting on the Isle of Wight.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Newport Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1BG |
| Headteacher | Steph Boyd |
| Local Authority | Isle of Wight |
| Number of Pupils | 619 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 19.9% |
| School Capacity | 619 / 625 (99% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Jun 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (15 Jun 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 24 Jul 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.24)
978th of 3,141
Nationally
153rd of 461
In South East
1st of 6
In Isle of Wight
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2338%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 121 pupils).
- FE college42%
- School sixth form (stay)38%
- Employment5%
- Apprenticeship3%
- Sixth form college2%
- Not sustained2%
97% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed114
276
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
195 families put this school as their 1st choice (71% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
School day
Teaching hours
08:30 – 16:10
Source: theislandfreeschool.org. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British88.4%
- Mixed7.1%
- White (other)2.1%
- Asian0.7%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
2
Total schools
2
Oversubscribed
1
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Island Free School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Newport Road, Ventnor
Isle of Wight, PO38 1BG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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