Marriotts School Review 2026: Stevenage Comprehensive with Strong Sixth Form

On the edge of Stevenage, where the landscape opens to the Fairlands Valley and recreational lakes, Marriotts School occupies a modern comprehensive campus serving 1,430 mixed pupils across Years 7 to 13. The school carries the designation of a Sports College, a legacy of investment in competitive athletics and physical education. Founded and rebuilt in an era of expansion, the school operates under the banner "Aim High, Work Hard, Be Kind" with Ms Bethany Honnor as Headteacher. For families in Hertfordshire and the wider catchment, Marriotts represents a non-selective state secondary offering a mixed academic and vocational curriculum, strongest in its sixth form where results have shown marked improvement. With exam performance placing it in the bottom tier of schools nationally, Marriotts is not a destination for families chasing top-tier academic rankings; rather, it suits those seeking a well-organised comprehensive in an accessible location with genuine pastoral strength and a vibrant sixth form pathway to Russell Group universities.

Marriotts School carries the unmistakable stamp of a modern state comprehensive, architecturally functional rather than grand, but purposefully designed. The school serves a diverse intake across Stevenage and surrounding areas including Walkern, Knebworth, and Great Ashby. The pupil profile is working-class and mixed ethnicity, with approximately 29% eligible for free school meals and 13% whose first language is not English, creating a genuinely cosmopolitan environment.

Walking the corridors, the school projects an atmosphere of capable organisation. Staff know pupils by name, behaviour is calm and consistent, and the tutoring system operates with clear pastoral structure. The school's values of "Aim High, Work Hard, Be Kind" are referenced consistently across communications and are embedded in the behaviour policy, rather than existing as mere wall decoration. Students seem genuinely comfortable here. The mission statement emphasises that "education changes everything: your horizons, your enjoyment and your economic situation," and this ethos shapes the school's approach to pastoral care and personal development.

The sixth form, housed within the main campus, has expanded to over 270 students and has become the school's flagship offering. Sixth formers exhibit greater maturity and confidence than lower year groups, suggesting that the post-16 experience significantly shapes student outcomes and attitudes. The facilities, renovated over time, reflect investment in both sporting and creative provision. In November 2023, the school opened a new FA-certified 3G pitch, signalling ongoing capital investment in a school community that might otherwise be overlooked.

GCSE Performance

Marriotts School ranks 2,836th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the bottom 40% of secondary schools nationally, within the lower 40% of schools in England This candid positioning is essential context for families considering the school.

The headline metric, Attainment 8 (a measure combining up to eight qualifications), stood at 39.6, compared to the England average of 44.2. In English and mathematics combined, 53% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above (the government's measure of a "standard pass"), below the England average of 60% and the local authority average of 73%.

Progress 8, which measures how much progress pupils make between the end of primary school and the end of secondary, stood at -0.37. This negative figure indicates that pupils at Marriotts make less progress than pupils with similar starting points across England, a significant weakness in the school's secondary provision. The English Baccalaureate (a measure including sciences, languages, and humanities) showed only 12% of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in the three core EBacc subjects, well below the England average. These figures demonstrate that the secondary cohort, while not struggling catastrophically, underperform relative to peers nationally.

Sixth Form & A-Level Performance

The picture shifts notably at sixth form. A-level results in 2024 showed 26% of grades at A-A*, and 63% at A*-B (compared to England averages of approximately 24% A*-A and 47% A*-B respectively). The school reports that sixth formers achieved well above England average across sciences and mathematics, with Chemistry recording 70% A-A* and Mathematics 54%, indicating that the post-16 cohort exhibits stronger engagement with academic subjects than their younger peers.

The school ranks 1,756th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the bottom 40% nationally, but the trajectory is markedly different from GCSE. More importantly, 60% of sixth form leavers progress to university, with a growing cohort entering Russell Group institutions. Universities mentioned include York, King's College London, Leeds, Cardiff, and Warwick. In 2024, one student secured a place at the University of Oxford to study Law, and the school has reported increasing numbers of unconditional university offers. This reflects both improving outcomes and effective university guidance support.

The curriculum is delivered through a two-week timetable with five 60-minute periods daily. Academic setting is introduced in English and mathematics from Year 7 and science from Year 8, allowing teachers to differentiate instruction according to prior attainment. This structure is conventional and appropriate for a comprehensive school.

From Year 7, all pupils experience the statutory National Curriculum subjects, supplemented by optional creative and technical provision. The school teaches modern languages (Spanish, French, and German) from Year 7, with Spanish as the default selection. Food Technology, Resistant Materials, and Textiles are offered as a carousel in Years 7-8, enabling exposure before pupils make GCSE choices. At Key Stage 4, the school presents a broad option menu including Art, Business Studies, Media Studies, Health and Social Care, Computer Science, Drama, IT, Design and Technology, Modern Languages, Music, Dance, History, Geography, and Sociology, with English, Mathematics, and Science remaining compulsory.

Teaching quality is described in the most recent inspection data as good, with teachers demonstrating clear subject knowledge. Behaviour is consistently positive, and pupils are encouraged to develop independence in learning progressively as they move through the school. The school operates a system of academic support for students identified as underattaining, with intervention delivered through English and Mathematics departments and a dedicated learning support service.

The sixth form curriculum reflects considerable expansion and now includes a mix of A-level and BTEC options. A-level subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, English Literature, History, Geography, Media Studies, Computer Science, Psychology, Government and Politics, and Sociology. BTEC qualifications include Performing Arts (Drama and Dance), Health and Social Care, Child Development, Music, and Sport. Students typically study three subjects across both traditional and vocational routes. The school participates in the Stevenage Sixth Consortium, a four-school collaboration that expands available options beyond those offered at Marriotts alone.

Secondary Leavers

The school does not extensively publish secondary to sixth form progression data, though the presence of a thriving sixth form of 270 students suggests substantial internal progression. The catchment area encompasses suburbs and satellite towns of Stevenage, with relatively easy access to further education institutions across Hertfordshire and neighbouring areas.

Sixth Form Leavers

In 2024, the destinations breakdown showed that 60% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with the majority gaining places at their first-choice institution. Russell Group representation is growing year on year, with specific destinations including York, King's College London, Leeds, Cardiff, and Warwick. The school mentions specific course destinations including Biochemistry, Economics, English Literature, Astrophysics, Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Optometry, Engineering, Criminology, Molecular Biology, Music, History, and Zoology. One student secured an Oxford place to study Law in 2024.

Beyond university, 33% of sixth form leavers entered employment directly and 6% began apprenticeships. These figures reflect the school's dual commitment to academic progression and alternative pathway support. The careers guidance programme provides comprehensive information, advice, and guidance (CIAG) throughout the sixth form, ensuring all students achieve a named destination, whether university, apprenticeship, or employment.

Marriotts operates a vibrant extracurricular programme aligned with its Sports College designation and visible investment in performing arts facilities and specialist staff.

Music Programme

The music department offers tuition and ensemble participation. Students can access individual instrument lessons, and the school hosts an annual Christmas concert involving all year groups. A dedicated music option exists at GCSE and A-level, and the sixth form offers Music BTEC Rock School Level 3 and A-level Music. The school's music offering extends beyond the curriculum, with performance opportunities advertised throughout the calendar. While specific ensemble names (orchestra, choir, chamber groups) are not prominently featured on the school website, the annual concert fixture and performance-led approach indicate music is embedded within school life.

Drama & Performing Arts

Drama is a core offering at Key Stage 3 and a GCSE option, with A-level Drama and BTEC Performing Arts (Drama and Dance) available in the sixth form. The Performing Arts department produces an annual major production; in recent years this has included a full school staging of "Fame" involving all year groups, which drew over 300 parents to opening night performances. The department facilitates regular West End theatre trips for students, with recorded excursions to see major musicals including "Phantom of the Opera," "&Juliet," "Starlight Express," and "Everyone's Talking About Jamie." Additional performing arts trips include attendance at dance productions and specialist Gifted and Talented events such as "Move It 2025" at the Excel Centre, London, where advanced students access masterclasses and watch professional performances.

The drama curriculum at Key Stage 3 includes improvisation clubs run weekly, and Street Dance is offered as a lunchtime club activity. The school employs six drama leaders, gender-mixed pupils selected through application and interview, who coordinate clubs, rehearsals, and serve as peer mentors for younger year groups. The department explicitly aims to "improve every child's confidence and self-belief both in Drama and beyond."

Sports & Physical Education

As a designated Sports College, Marriotts operates substantial sports facilities and a competitive ethos. The school campus includes a sports hall, gymnasium with specialist equipment, Olympic trampolines, Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs), a Fitness Suite, and, since November 2023, a newly certified FA 3G pitch. The playing fields overlook the Fairlands Valley and run along the Fairland Lakes, which offer water-sport opportunities.

Lunchtime clubs cover a varied rotation of sports offerings, and fixtures are competitive across football, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, and athletics. The school benefits from the proximity of Fairland Lakes, which enables canoeing and water-based activities. The Fitness Suite operates as both a school facility and a community gym (MSC Active), indicating broader use of the school's infrastructure.

Physical Education is compulsory at Key Stage 3 and is offered as a GCSE. The sixth form includes Sport and Physical Activity CTEC qualifications, both single and double options, and a BTEC in Sport and Physical Activity. This breadth reflects both a recreational and vocational pathway for students with interest in sports science and sports management.

STEM & Technology

The school offers computer science at Key Stage 3, GCSE, and A-level. Information Technology (IT) is a separate option at Key Stage 4. The school's facilities include specialist IT and computer science teaching spaces, and the curriculum encompasses both traditional computing and Digital Technology modules. Sixth formers can pursue A-level Computer Science, and vocational pathways include BTEC qualifications in applied fields.

Science is taught separately across physics, chemistry, and biology at GCSE and A-level, with the school reporting strong outcomes in sciences at post-16 (70% A-A* in Chemistry, 57% in Physics as recently as 2020). The school's commitment to STEM is evidenced by the routine mention of science subjects within sixth form destination courses (Biochemistry, Astrophysics, Engineering, Optometry, Molecular Biology).

Clubs & Activities

The school maintains an active lunchtime club programme, reviewed termly to reflect student demand. Beyond the specifically mentioned offerings (Street Dance, Drama Improvisation, rotating sports clubs), the school refers to "new clubs and teams" available to Year 7 entrants and mentions opportunities to join the School Council and apply for Curriculum Leader positions in Year 8. The broad range of Key Stage 4 optional subjects (Art, Business, Media Studies, Drama, D&T, Music, Modern Languages, History, Geography, Sociology) implies extracurricular enrichment within these areas, though specific club names and structures are not detailed publicly.

The school provides explicit support for young carers through a Young Carers programme and references Pupil Premium initiatives. Mental health and wellbeing are prioritised through a dedicated counselling service, with a trained counsellor visiting weekly to support students needing emotional support beyond pastoral care.

Trips & Enrichment

Trips are embedded throughout the school. Year 7 receives explicit mention of team-building trips and educational visits. The Performing Arts department organises annual West End theatre outings. Year 13 receives dedicated exam support including structured revision sessions and guidance. The sixth form curriculum mandates the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), mirroring university-level independent research, and Core Mathematics is available to support students progressing to courses requiring quantitative skills without further specialist mathematics.

The school operates a house system or tutor group structure with dedicated staff providing pastoral care and guidance. Each pupil is assigned a tutor for academic oversight and personal development. The school emphasises a "360-degree care, support and challenge" model.

Mental health and wellbeing have been prioritised explicitly. The school employs a trained counsellor on a weekly schedule and has developed a comprehensive Mental Health and Wellbeing policy. Students are encouraged to access support, and peer-to-peer initiatives (such as drama leaders serving as role models) reinforce the message that wellbeing is a collective responsibility.

Behaviour is addressed through a clear behaviour policy referencing the school's three values. The school reports that pupils "behave consistently well in a positive and respectful environment" and that staff investigate concerns promptly. The behaviour policy is applied with consistency, and the school's ethos supports students who require additional guidance or emotional support.

Safeguarding is a statutory responsibility, and the school demonstrates its commitment through explicit policies and designated safeguarding leads. The sixth form includes dedicated pastoral support through the Sixth Form Team and the Senior Student Team, both of which help coordinate guidance and mentoring.

Marriotts is a non-selective state secondary school, admitting all pupils who apply and reach the school. Entry to Year 7 is coordinated through Hertfordshire Local Authority. The school is typically oversubscribed, with 699 applications for 228 places in the most recent admissions round, a subscription ratio of approximately 3:1. Distance from the school is the primary admissions criterion after looked-after children and those with EHCPs.

The sixth form accepts pupils who meet entry criteria set by the school, typically based on prior GCSE attainment. Prospective sixth formers from outside the school apply directly. The school operates an open enrolment policy for its sixth form, welcoming external applicants and aiming to grow the post-16 cohort. The Stevenage Sixth Consortium arrangement allows some cross-school option access, broadening available subjects for interested pupils.

The school's admissions area encompasses a wide rural and suburban catchment, including parishes such as Aston, Benington, Datchworth, Graveley, Great Ashby, Knebworth, Stevenage, and Walkern. Families should verify their specific distance from the school gates, as oversubscription may result in distance-based prioritisation.

School Day

The school operates on a two-week timetable with five periods daily, each lasting 60 minutes. Registration occurs each morning for 20 minutes, during which tutor-group activities focus on literacy, numeracy, school values, and SMSC (social, moral, spiritual, cultural) development. A weekly year group assembly is held.

Facilities

The campus includes a modern sports complex with a sports hall, gymnastics centre, Olympic trampolines, Fitness Suite, floodlit 3G pitch (certified by the FA and opened in November 2023), and Multi-Use Games Areas. Specialist teaching spaces house IT suites, laboratories, and technology workshops. The school benefits from extensive outdoor playing fields overlooking Fairlands Valley.

Transport

The school is located on Brittain Way in Stevenage, postcode SG2 8UT. Public transport links connect to Stevenage town centre and surrounding areas. The school provides visitor parking on campus, though school newsletters note that visitors must use the Brittain Way car park rather than the adjacent sports centre facility.

Catering

The school operates a catering contract with Caterlink for school dinners. Free school meals are available to eligible pupils based on deprivation criteria. Parents can view meal options and manage dietary requirements through the school's online system.

Uniform & Equipment

A school uniform is compulsory. Details are available on the school website, and costs are moderate for a state school (typically £50-100 for a complete set). Mobile phones, smartwatches, and earphones are not permitted during the school day and are confiscated if observed; policies are clearly communicated.

Contact

The school can be reached on 01438 726999 or admin@marriotts.herts.sch.uk. The main website is marriotts.herts.sch.uk.

GCSE Performance: The school's secondary cohort delivers results notably below England average. Attainment 8 (39.6) is significantly below the national average (44.2), and Progress 8 is negative (-0.37), indicating pupils make less progress than comparable peers nationally. Pupils seriously concerned about securing top grades or competitive academic environments should consider selective grammar schools or independent schools nearby, such as Hitchin Girls' School or Ware Grammar. For many families, however, this metric reflects the school's comprehensive, inclusive intake rather than poor teaching; progress is evident for many individual pupils, even if group measures suggest slower advancement overall.

Sixth Form as Game-Changer: The dramatic improvement from secondary to sixth form is striking. A-level results are substantially better than GCSE results, and Russell Group progression is clearly increasing. For families whose child struggles at secondary, the sixth form offers genuine hope; the environment appears to catalyse engagement and academic growth. Families should factor the possibility of transformation in later years when evaluating fit.

Location & Catchment: Marriotts serves a wide rural and suburban catchment, which means some pupils face significant travel times. Families in northern or western suburbs of Stevenage may attend schools closer to home. Oversubscription is typical, so families relying on distance-based admission should verify their precise distance from school gates. Distance-based allocation is an annual process and can shift based on applicant distribution, so no guarantee exists that proximity will secure entry.

Sports College Identity: The school's sporting reputation and facilities are substantial, but families uninterested in competitive sports may find the culture feels athletics-focused. For pupils keen on creative and academic pursuits without sports emphasis, the performing arts and sixth form academic pathways are equally strong, but the overall ethos reflects the school's Sports College history.

Marriotts School serves Stevenage and surrounding areas as a capable, well-organised comprehensive offering mixed academic and vocational pathways. The secondary cohort delivers results below England average, reflected in rankings placing the school in the bottom 40% nationally, a reality that should inform family expectations. However, the sixth form is a significant strength, with rising results, growing Russell Group progression, and genuine pastoral support. The school excels at pastoral care, safeguarding, behaviour, and student wellbeing, creating an environment where pupils feel secure and supported.

Best suited to families in the Stevenage catchment seeking a non-selective state comprehensive with strong sixth form prospects, vibrant sports and performing arts provision, and proven pastoral care. The school suits pupils who may need time to settle and flourish, particularly those who find their stride in the sixth form years. Those prioritising top-tier GCSE results or highly selective academic environments should consider grammar schools or independent alternatives. The main challenge is securing entry through distance-based admissions; distance varies annually and oversubscription is consistent. For families committed to the catchment and comfortable with below-average secondary results offset by sixth form strength, this is a school that delivers a complete, supportive comprehensive education.