James Marks Academy
Free schools special · Ages 11–18 · Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
James Marks Academy is a special school in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire for ages 11–18 (free schools special).
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Key facts
- Address
- The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4RZ
- Type
- Free schools special
- Ages
- 11–18
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Council
- Hertfordshire
- Pupils on roll
- 62 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- 19.4% of pupils eligible
- Pupils per teacher
- 5.3
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
No Ofsted grade Inspected 9 June 2026
Strengths
- “Pupils, who all have special educational needs and/or disabilities, flourish in the school's nurturing and highly ambitious community.”
- “Pupils trust staff because they take the time to understand each pupil's needs.”
- “Pupils know they are valued as individuals.”
To improve
- “Leaders and those responsible for governance should sustain the effectiveness of their work as they continue to refine and address their identified priorities for improvement, including to promote reading more widely across subjects beyond English, in order to secure a consistently transformational impact for all pupils.”
Safeguarding: met
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 17 July 2026 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What a pass unlocks for James Marks Academy
- Earlier exam results, 2022/23 to 2023/24
- Crime, sold prices and rents, broadband and transport around the school
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Nearby special, independent and other schools
Straight-line distance, in Hertfordshire.
- Lakeside School 2.0 mi School remains Outstanding
- Southfield School 2.6 mi School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next
- Knightsfield School 2.9 mi Standards maintained
- Links Hatfield Academy 3.1 mi Good
- Sherrardswood School 3.3 mi No Ofsted grade
- Hertford Prep 3.5 mi No Ofsted grade
- Duncombe School 4.4 mi No Ofsted grade
- Rhodes Wood Hospital School 4.5 mi No Ofsted grade