Here is a look at the current Ofsted status of every mainstream secondary school in Stevenage and North Hertfordshire.

The education watchdog uses a four-point grading scale for inspection judgements: outstanding; good; requires improvement; and inadequate.

Under the current inspection framework, the lowest rating given for any of the five categories is used as the overall rating.

Many schools have been downgraded by Ofsted in recent years - in November 2022, Ofsted said that it had downgraded more than 80 per cent of the previously 'outstanding' schools it had inspected in 2021/22.

The inspectorate has been criticised recently following the death of Ruth Perry, a headteacher who killed herself after being told that her school in Reading was to be rated 'inadequate'.

In response to the criticism, Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, has said they "are making changes" but that the single-line grading system will continue.

The Ofsted ratings

Barclay Academy, Stevenage

The Comet: Barclay Academy in Stevenage.Barclay Academy in Stevenage. (Image: Newsquest)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: April 2023

Barnwell School, Stevenage

The Comet: Barnwell School in Stevenage.Barnwell School in Stevenage. (Image: Google Maps)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: January 2022

Fearnhill School, Letchworth

The Comet: Fearnhill School in Letchworth.Fearnhill School in Letchworth. (Image: Daniel Wilson)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: November 2022

Hitchin Boys' School, Hitchin

The Comet: Hitchin Boys' School in Hitchin.Hitchin Boys' School in Hitchin. (Image: Alan Millard)

Rating: Outstanding

Last inspected: November 2021

Hitchin Girls' School, Hitchin

The Comet: Hitchin Girls' School in Hitchin.Hitchin Girls' School in Hitchin. (Image: Google Maps)

Rating: Outstanding

Last inspected: July 2013

Marriotts School, Stevenage

The Comet: Marriotts School in Stevenage.Marriotts School in Stevenage. (Image: Archant)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: January 2022

The Highfield School, Letchworth

The Comet: The Highfield School in Letchworth.The Highfield School in Letchworth. (Image: Archant)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: June 2023

The Nobel School, Stevenage

The Comet: The Nobel School in Stevenage.The Nobel School in Stevenage. (Image: Google Maps)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: March 2018

The Priory School, Hitchin

The Comet: The Priory School in Hitchin.The Priory School in Hitchin. (Image: Archant)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: November 2022

The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School, Stevenage

The Comet: The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School in Stevenage.The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School in Stevenage. (Image: Google Maps)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: June 2018

The Knights Templar School, Baldock

The Comet: The Knights Templar School in Baldock.The Knights Templar School in Baldock. (Image: Google Maps)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: June 2023

The Thomas Alleyne Academy, Stevenage

The Comet: The Thomas Alleyne Academy in Stevenage.The Thomas Alleyne Academy in Stevenage. (Image: Google Maps)

Rating: Good

Last inspected: November 2019