Friern Barnet School Review 2026: A Creative Community Hub

Creativity is the engine that drives Friern Barnet School. While many schools have narrowed their focus solely to academic metrics, this North London comprehensive has steadfastly maintained its identity as a specialist Arts College. The result is a school where the performing arts are not just a nice-to-have extra but central to building the confidence and character of its 800 students.

Serving a diverse slice of Barnet, the school operates under the motto "Enjoy and Excel". It is a refreshing philosophy that prioritises student happiness as the foundation for achievement. With no tuition fees and a truly comprehensive intake, it offers a vibrant alternative to the intense pressure cookers often found in the capital's education sector.

The campus on Hemington Avenue blends 1930s architecture with modern, purpose-built facilities. The standout feature is the dedicated Arts Centre, a physical declaration of the school’s ethos. Walk past it and you are as likely to hear a steel pan band rehearsing as you are the quiet focus of a mathematics lesson.

Mr Simon Horne, Head Teacher since 2013, provides stable and visible leadership. His long tenure has allowed him to embed a culture of "unconditional positive regard", a pastoral approach that separates a student's behaviour from their intrinsic worth. This creates a warm, relational atmosphere where staff and students seem genuinely to like one another.

The student body is a true reflection of modern London, with over 50 languages spoken. Inclusivity is taken seriously here; the school hosts a dedicated unit for students with specific learning difficulties, ensuring those with additional needs are woven into the main fabric of the school rather than sidelined.

In 2024, the school delivered solid academic outcomes. The Attainment 8 score of 44.6 sits just below the England average of 45.9, while the Progress 8 score of 0.00 indicates that students make exactly the expected progress from their starting points, matching the national average.

Friern Barnet School ranks 2,330th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This performance places the school in the "national typical" band, meaning it sits comfortably alongside the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Locally, it ranks 27th among secondary schools in Barnet.

While these figures are solid, the school does not operate as an exam factory. The focus is on individual growth rather than league table manipulation. It is worth noting that for students with an aptitude for the arts, the outcomes in drama, music, and art are often exceptional, reflecting the specialist teaching available.

The curriculum is deliberately broad. While the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects are central, the school resists the trend to squeeze out creative subjects. All students in Key Stage 3 study art, dance, drama, and music. This is not just about creating actors or musicians; the school believes the oracy and presentation skills developed on stage translate directly to better performance in English and Humanities.

Lessons are often active and discussion-based. In the recently refurbished science laboratories, practical work is frequent. Support for students with English as an Additional Language (EAL) is a particular strength, with specialist staff ensuring language barriers are dismantled quickly so academic progress can continue.

Admission to Friern Barnet School is coordinated by the London Borough of Barnet. As a community school, it is generally non-selective, but there is a crucial exception that parents of creative children must note.

The school offers an Enhanced Arts Programme (EAP). Up to 10% of the Year 7 intake (approximately 16 places) is selected based on aptitude in Music, Dance, or Drama. Applicants for these places attend an audition workshop in the autumn term of Year 6. Successful candidates gain priority admission and access to an enriched programme of workshops and tuition.

For the remaining 90% of places, the oversubscription criteria are standard: looked-after children, siblings, and then geographical distance. The school is popular, so living relatively close is an advantage, though the catchment area can vary significantly from year to year.

Applications for Year 7 entry in September 2026 must be submitted to the local authority by 31 October 2025.

Pastoral care is organised horizontally by year group. A Head of Year leads a team of form tutors who move up the school with their students, providing continuity from the nervous first days of Year 7 through to the GCSE exams.

The school prides itself on being a "listening school". A dedicated Student Services team is available throughout the day to handle worries, lost property, or medical needs. For more significant concerns, the on-site counseling service provides robust mental health support.

Bullying is handled with a restorative approach. The school’s systems are designed to resolve conflict by helping students understand the impact of their actions, rather than simply issuing sanctions.

Extracurricular life is dominated, unsurprisingly, by the arts. The annual school productions are major events, involving huge casts and technical crews. It is common for over 100 students to be involved in a single show.

Music provision is extensive. The steel pan band is a local institution, performing at community events across the borough. Subsidised instrumental lessons encourage take-up, and there are numerous choirs and ensembles.

Sport is not neglected. The school has a large sports hall, gym, and extensive playing fields. Football, basketball, and netball are the core competitive sports, but there are also clubs for chess, coding, and debating for those who prefer indoor pursuits.

There are no fees. Friern Barnet School is a state-funded community school. Parents may be asked to contribute to the cost of residential trips or private music lessons, but tuition is free.

How do I apply for the Enhanced Arts Programme?

You must register your child for the aptitude workshops in the early autumn of Year 6 (September/October). This is a separate process from the main local authority application. Check the school website in early September for the exact dates.

Does the school have a catchment area?

The school does not have a fixed catchment map. Places are allocated based on straight-line distance from the school gate. The distance of the furthest child admitted changes every year depending on who applies.

The school day runs from 8:35am to 3:00pm. This finish time allows for a rich programme of after-school clubs which typically run until 4:00pm.

Uniform is strict but practical: a navy blazer with the school badge, white shirt, and school tie. The school views the uniform as a leveler that removes the pressure of designer labels.

Transport links are excellent. The school is a short walk from New Southgate station (Great Northern) and Arnos Grove (Piccadilly Line), making it accessible from a wide sway of North London.

No Sixth Form. Friern Barnet is an 11-16 school. Students must move to a new institution for A-levels or college. While the school provides excellent transition support, families seeking a single institution from 11 to 18 should keep this in mind.

Arts intensity. The arts specialism is genuine and pervasive. While this is a haven for creative children, students with absolutely no interest in performance might find the culture slightly alien, though the academic core remains strong.

Urban location. The school is on a busy road in a bustling part of London. Traffic at drop-off times is heavy, and the school strongly encourages walking or public transport.

Friern Barnet School is a vibrant, inclusive community that proves a school can be both academically sound and creatively joyous. It is not a pressure cooker; it is a place where children are allowed to develop at their own pace. Best suited to families who value a broad, creative education and want a school that cares as much about a child's confidence as their GCSE grades. The Enhanced Arts Programme places are gold dust for talented performers.

In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.00, meaning students made average progress in line with national expectations. The Attainment 8 score was 44.6.

Does Friern Barnet School have a sixth form?

No. The school educates students aged 11 to 16. In Year 11, staff work closely with students to help them secure places at local sixth forms and colleges, such as Woodhouse College.