Classpot

The Netherhall School

Cambridge, CB1 8NNSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted inspected
2 Good · 3 Requires improvement
Apr 2025
Progress 8
-0.69
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
171 1st-choice / 175 places
Ranking
#2,835
of 3,141 nationally

About The Netherhall School

The Netherhall School in Cambridge received a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted following its most recent graded inspection in 2025, a downgrade from the Good it had held since its previous inspection in 2018. The most telling academic metric is its Progress 8 score of -0.69, which places pupils’ progress well below the national average. This is a significant gap compared with the Cambridgeshire local authority average Progress 8 score of 0.17, meaning the school’s students achieve nearly a grade less per subject across eight GCSEs than peers in similar schools across the county. The school ranks 33rd out of 39 secondary schools in the local authority on this measure, and sits in the bottom 10% nationally. Ofsted’s breakdown shows that while behaviour and attitudes, and personal development, are rated Good, the quality of education and sixth-form provision both require improvement, and leadership and management has also slipped to Requires Improvement.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressQueen Edith's Way, Cambridge, Cambridge, CB1 8NN
HeadteacherChristopher Tooley
Local AuthorityCambridgeshire
Number of Pupils1,266
Free School Meals (FSM)38.3%
School Capacity1,266 / 1,053 (120% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

What 97 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, 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

29 Apr 2025
View Report
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement
Sixth Form Provision
Requires improvement

From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.

Source: Ofsted, 18 Jun 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

11
Tennis CourtsMusic RoomsLibraryScience LabsGymnasiumTheatrePlaying FieldsSports HallICT SuiteChapelSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

14

Sports

RoundersSwimmingCricketTennisBasketballDanceBadminton

Clubs & Activities

DramaChoirChessOrchestraGardeningEco ClubDebate

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyOther

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

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:40 – 15:00

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Netherhall School

The Netherhall School has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.