Frederick Gent School Review 2026: A Community School with Growing Ambition

Frederick Gent School serves the close-knit community of South Normanton, situated on the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire border. As a mainstream state secondary for students aged 11 to 16, it provides a stable educational environment for approximately 860 students. Since joining the Two Counties Trust in 2017, the school has undergone a period of significant structural and cultural change, moving toward a more rigorous academic footing.

The school ranks 2nd among secondary providers in the Alfreton area (FindMySchool ranking), indicating a solid standing within the immediate local context. While results have historically sat below the England average, the school is noted for its visible commitment to raising aspirations. For families in the DE55 area, it offers a local choice that prioritises personal development alongside the standard curriculum.

The atmosphere at Frederick Gent is grounded and community-focused. The school occupies a site on Mansfield Road that feels integrated into the life of South Normanton. Under the leadership of Head Teacher Chris Woollard, who has led the school since January 2019, there has been a concerted effort to establish clear routines and a more consistent approach to student behaviour.

The school operates as part of the Two Counties Trust, and this partnership is central to its current identity. Shared trust values focus on ambition, bravery, and care, which are reflected in the school's daily operations. Students often describe a sense of belonging, and the relatively compact size of the school means that staff are able to maintain a good understanding of individual student needs.

Recent internal developments have focused on creating a calmer learning environment. While the school has historically faced periods of transition, the current leadership has prioritised stability. This is evident in the structured start to the school day and the emphasis on students taking responsibility for their own conduct.

The school ranks 2,776th in England for GCSE outcomes according to proprietary FindMySchool rankings. This performance reflects a solid local position, though it sits within the national lower percentile band (60th to 100th percentile) when compared to schools across England.

In the 2024 results, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.02, an improvement from the 42.2 recorded the previous year. The Progress 8 score for 2024 was 0.17, which marks a significant shift upward from the -0.34 seen in 2023. This positive trend indicates that students are now making progress above the England average. The percentage of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in English and Maths rose to 61.2% in the 2024 cohort. These figures highlight a school that is successfully closing the gap with the highest-performing providers in the county.

The curriculum at Frederick Gent is designed to provide a broad foundation in Key Stage 3 before students specialise in their GCSE choices. There is a strong emphasis on core subjects, with investments in the mathematics and science departments to improve consistency in delivery.

Teachers use structured lesson plans aligned with the Two Counties Trust's pedagogical standards. This includes a focus on retrieval practice and clear modelling of new concepts. In classrooms, students are encouraged to engage with challenging material, and there is a growing culture of academic resilience.

For students requiring additional support, the Special Educational Needs (SEN) team provides targeted interventions. While the school does not have a designated special resources provision, it manages a wide range of learning needs within the mainstream setting through the use of teaching assistants and differentiated lesson delivery.

Where Students Go Next

As a school that finishes at Year 11, the transition to post-16 education is a critical milestone. Most students progress to local further education providers, including Ashfield Post 16, West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield, and Chesterfield College. A significant proportion also moves on to other sixth form colleges in the surrounding area for A-level study.

The school provides a dedicated careers programme that begins in Year 7, helping students to navigate their options early. This includes visits to local universities and engagement with apprenticeship providers. By the time students reach Year 11, the focus shifts to practical support for applications and interview preparation, with 97.4% of the 2024 cohort successfully continuing in education or training.

Admissions are coordinated by Derbyshire County Council. The school is currently oversubscribed, which is a notable shift reflecting its growing local reputation. In the most recent entry cycle, there were 192 applications for 154 offers, resulting in a subscription proportion of 1.25.

The proportion of first-preference applications versus offers is 1, meaning that currently, all local families who placed the school as their top choice were successfully accommodated, provided they met the residency criteria. Most students are drawn from the immediate South Normanton and Pinxton areas. Parents can use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to understand their priority level.

Pastoral care is organised through a year-group system, with heads of year and form tutors providing the primary layer of support. The school has worked to improve its response to bullying and social media related issues, implementing more robust reporting mechanisms.

There is a clear emphasis on mental health awareness, with staff trained to identify early signs of distress. The school also utilises external support services for students requiring more intensive emotional help. The relationship between staff and students is generally positive, with a focus on mutual respect.

Extracurricular life at Frederick Gent is active, particularly in the realms of sport and performing arts. The school utilizes its extensive playing fields and sports hall for a range of clubs including football, netball, and athletics. These sessions are designed to be inclusive, catering to both competitive athletes and those playing for recreation.

STEM: Innovation and Practical Skills

The STEM offering is a point of development, with the school participating in regional challenges and competitions. The Design and Technology department is well-equipped, allowing students to work with a variety of materials and modern equipment. Coding clubs and science-based enrichment sessions are offered to spark interest in technical careers, reflecting the industrial heritage of the local Derbyshire area.

The school day typically begins at 8:25am and concludes at 2:55pm. Students are expected to arrive on site promptly to engage in morning tutor sessions. For families requiring travel assistance, several local bus routes serve the South Normanton area, though most students live within walking distance. Parking near the school site on Mansfield Road can be congested during peak drop-off and pick-up times, so the school encourages walking where possible.

Fees & Financial Aid

Frederick Gent School is a state-funded academy, which means there are no tuition fees. As part of the Two Counties Trust, it receives public funding. Families do not need to pay for core curriculum delivery. Costs for optional items, such as certain extracurricular trips, music lessons, and uniform, are typically met by parents, though financial assistance or subsidies may be available for families eligible for Pupil Premium or facing financial hardship.

• Progress 8 Trajectory: While the 2024 Progress 8 score improved to 0.17, the school has historically performed below average. Families should look for evidence of how this recent upward trend is being sustained.
• Oversubscribed Status: The subscription proportion of 1.25 indicates that the school is becoming more popular. Families living on the fringes of the traditional catchment area should check current admission trends carefully.
• No On-site Sixth Form: As an 11-16 school, students must move to a new environment at age 16. This requires a level of independence and proactive planning during Year 11 to secure suitable post-16 placement.
• Trust Transition: The school is still embedding the full curriculum and behavioural models of the Two Counties Trust. While this provides more resources, it also means the school has been in a phase of significant change.

Frederick Gent School is a solid community secondary that is clearly on an upward trajectory under its current leadership and trust partnership. While academic outcomes are not yet reaching elite levels, the school provides a safe, inclusive, and increasingly ambitious environment. It best suits local families who value a community-centric school that is making tangible strides in improving its academic rigour. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist as they compare local providers.