Special free school · Hertfordshire

James Marks Academy

Special
Ages 11–18
Sixth form

Term dates

Special free schools can set their own term dates. Many follow Hertfordshire council's dates, shown below as a guide, but check with the school, especially for INSET days.

2026/27

2027/28

See Hertfordshire's full dates

Admissions

Places at special schools are usually arranged through an education, health and care (EHC) plan, agreed with the council.

How EHC plans work on GOV.UK

Ofsted inspection

Report card, 9 June 2026. Ofsted now grades each area separately, from exceptional to urgent improvement, with no single overall grade.

Inclusion: Strong standard
Curriculum and teaching: Strong standard
Achievement: Strong standard
Attendance and behaviour: Strong standard
Personal development and wellbeing: Strong standard
Sixth form: Strong standard
Leadership and governance: Strong standard

Safeguarding standards: met.

Read the Ofsted reports

From Ofsted's published inspection data (Open Government Licence). Report cards and older grades use different scales, so they can't be compared directly.

About and location

Type: Special free school
Phase: Special
Ages: 11–18
Pupils: 62 (capacity 60)
Gender: Mixed
Academy trust: JAMES MARKS ACADEMY TRUST
Address: The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4RZ

Official school record, including Ofsted reports

School details from the Department for Education's register of schools (Open Government Licence). Report a correction.