Barclay Academy
Walkern Road, Stevenage, SG1 3RBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Barclay Academy is a secondary school in Stevenage for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 583 schools in Hertfordshire. It ranks 2nd of 6 secondary schools in Stevenage. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 18 April 2023, report published 14 June 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 18 April 2023
Pupils and students at Barclay Academy know that they attend a school where expectations are high for their achievement and their behaviour. Leaders have made significant improvements since the school opened. In the majority of subjects, pupils do well. This includes those who are disadvantaged and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Everyone is encouraged to read for pleasure. Those who struggle are given good support to help them access texts in lessons. Pupils and students are happy and feel safe here. They are known well by staff. Behaviour on the corridors and around the school site is usually well ordered. Pupils report that any bullying is usually dealt with swiftly and fairly by adults. The range of extra-curricular clubs is exceptional, due in no small part to support from the trust. This includes activities in the arts and sports, karting, rowing, and opportunities to experience trips to the theatre and abroad. Students in the small but growing sixth form are given opportunities to take responsibility and develop leadership qualities. As a result of the excellent programme, pupils and students have a mature understanding of and respect for different personal characteristics.
What the school should improve
- In a small number of foundation subjects, leaders have not planned a curriculum that includes sufficient content or details of what pupils should learn. This means some pupils do not produce work of a consistently high quality. Leaders should ensure that all subjects are planned and delivered in a way that enables pupils to gain high-level, age-appropriate knowledge and skills.
- A small minority of pupils are not yet able to self-regulate their behaviour effectively. Subsequently, they are sent to isolation or require exclusion. This disrupts their learning. Leaders should continue to work with parents and pupils to support pupils to manage their behaviour and to reduce further the number of lessons that are disrupted.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
117 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
55 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,044 pupils on roll, with places for 1,181
Schools near Barclay Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Thomas Alleyne Academy | 0.2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 48.0 |
| The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 57.9 |
| Marriotts School | 1 mile | Report card: Expected standard | Attainment 8: 42.4 |
| The Nobel School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 50.2 |
| Barnwell School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to strong standard | Attainment 8: 41.5 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- FUTURE ACADEMIES
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Ms Scarlett O'Sullivan
- Phone
- 01438748459
- Address
- Walkern Road, Stevenage, SG1 3RB
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- URN
- 144623
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.