50,000+ Verified Reviews
Cove School
Cove School logo
Secondary

Cove School

Farnborough, United Kingdom
18 Reviews
Anonymous Reviews
Verified Parents
2.6 /5

18 reviews

Write a Review

100% anonymous & takes 2 minutes

Extra Attention Recommended

This school is currently rated below 3 stars based on 18 published reviews. Several reviews raise serious concerns, so parents should carry out extra due diligence before considering it for their child.

  • Ask direct questions about safeguarding, discipline, wellbeing and communication.
  • Speak to current parents and inspect recent complaint handling before enrolling.

About Cove School

We are dedicated to providing an exceptional learning experience for all students, whilst also supporting them to become mature, self-confident and well-rounded young people.

Photos of Cove School 12

Click any photo to view in full size. Use arrow keys to navigate.

Key Facts

Head/Principal Dr Andrew King

Rating Breakdown

Based on published reviews
Safety & Security 2.8
Teaching Quality 3.0
Communication 2.7
Student Wellbeing 2.9
Facilities 2.9

Parent Survey

Official Ofsted Parent View data β€’ 109 responses β€’ 10.8% response rate

View on Ofsted

My child is happy at this school

74.3% positive 25.7% negative

My child feels safe at this school

77.9% positive 20.1% negative

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved

68.9% positive 26.6% negative

The school has high expectations for my child

77% positive 16.6% negative

My child does well at this school

78.9% positive 19.3% negative

I would recommend this school to another parent

Data from Ofsted Parent View as of September 2025. Based on 109 parent responses to the official Ofsted survey.

School Workforce

Teacher and staff information β€’ 2024-2025

Note: These figures are estimated based on national averages. Actual school-level data not yet available.
17.0:1
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Excellent
59.4
Teachers (FTE)

Estimated workforce data based on GIAS enrollment and national average ratios. Academic year 2024-2025.

Secondary School Results (Key Stage 4)

Exam performance data β€’ 2023-2024

40.4
Attainment 8
Average grade across 8 subjects
-0.74
Progress 8
Well below average
34.2%
English & Maths 9-5
Strong pass in both
53.9%
English & Maths 9-4
Standard pass in both

Additional Information

26.9% entered EBacc
14.0% achieved EBacc
193 pupils in cohort

Data from DfE Performance Tables for academic year 2023-2024. Published January 2024. View full performance tables

Reviews 18

P
Parent
Parent Oct 1, 2025
5.0

"Good reviews"

The canteen staff is kind and the food is nice and the staff is helpful and kind and the headteacher is kind and the learning assistants are very helpful and the PE teachers are helpful and kind
Safety & Wellbeing 5/5
Teaching & Learning 5/5
Communication 5/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5
Facilities 5/5
P
Parent
Parent Oct 1, 2025
5.0

"Good school"

The food is nice and the staff are kind and they are helpful and the LSAs are helpful and the school is a good school and the canteen staff is kind
Safety & Wellbeing 5/5
Teaching & Learning 5/5
Communication 5/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5
Facilities 5/5
P
Parent
Parent Sep 6, 2023
1.0

"NOT GOOD"

This school is terrible. All teachers care about nowadays is uniform, why do YOU care how WE wear our uniform that we bought with OUR money??? No one else seems to have a problem with it so why do you..? Especially with skirts. Why are you looking there anyway, all of us wear shorts underneath so what's the issue πŸ’€ Also they don't let u go to the toilet in lessons AT ALL. They used to, but now they think everyone that needs to go is doing it to skip lesson. NO? Some of us actually NEED to go to the toilet. Do you want us to piss on the floor? We can't control our bladder if we need to go to the toilet WE NEED TO GO. Honestly if the teacher says no, just leave anyway. It's literally abuse 😁
Safety & Wellbeing 2/5
Teaching & Learning 3/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 2/5
Facilities 2/5
P
Parent
Parent Jul 12, 2023
5.0

"its aight"

yep, as the title says, it's aight.
Safety & Wellbeing 5/5
Teaching & Learning 5/5
Communication 5/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5
Facilities 5/5
P
Parent
Parent Jun 22, 2023
5.0

"HENRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Henry.
There is this teacher called henry and i love him, hes such a good teacher and hes such a lenger, he is the best teacher in cove school and i almost cried with joy when i had him three times in one day. Please never fire henry, he's so good for the school and you don't want to fire him because he is soooo good. in conclusion: I LOVE HENRY !!!!
Safety & Wellbeing 5/5
Teaching & Learning 5/5
Communication 5/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5
Facilities 5/5
P
Parent
Parent Jun 16, 2023
1.0

"Don’t send your child here, pathetic school "

If you’re thinking about bringing your kid to this school, dont. My child always comes home complaining with new and just pathetic rules like another that has come in place today not letting them wear their skirt unless it is knee length with most skirts don’t even go to they were told if not they have to wear trousers in this boiling heat. Cove school just get worse and worse
Safety & Wellbeing 3/5
Teaching & Learning 2/5
Communication 2/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5
Facilities 3/5
P
Parent
Parent May 23, 2023
1.0

"Fix your school!!!!"

What the heck man! The school needs to get it's stuff in order! It's out of control!!!
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
P
Parent
Parent May 23, 2023
1.0

"Teachers need improving!"

School sucks, teachers have favourites and aren't good at what they do, An English teacher was teaching geography for christs sake!
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
P
Parent
Parent May 23, 2023
1.0

"yesyes"

yes
yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes 7yes eys ewys eysxy s
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
P
Parent
Parent May 23, 2023
1.0

"😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠"

This school sucks, I asked for a chicken burger and got BEEF! This is NOT a good standard for cove school! Signed-πŸ€“
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
P
Parent
Parent May 11, 2023
2.0

"Dont come here unless cove actually decideds"

Teachers care more about some uniform than mental health. The school itself is decent, but this is a poor and small school so don't expect much. Once they fix their staffs and head of years maybe it would be better :)
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 3/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 2/5
Facilities 3/5
P
Parent
Parent Apr 26, 2023
2.0

"Cove school "

So bad teachers think they are too superior and don’t actually care about the students. The school says things they do are for our benefit but in reality it’s all just lies as they don’t do anything about it that’s helping. I understand teachers are adults and should be listened to but the don’t actually put themselves in the kids shoes, they shout at them as their first resort. There was a system including verbal reminders before which has changed making detentions and behaviour points the first thing they do to β€œresolve” the problem
Safety & Wellbeing 2/5
Teaching & Learning 3/5
Communication 2/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5
Facilities 3/5
R
Rebecca T
Parent Sep 1, 2022
5.0

"Exceptional learning experience!"

I've been blown away by the dedication of the teachers at Cove School. My child is in their second year and has already improved vastly in their Spanish skills thanks to the immersive performances by the Onatti Theatre Company. The school's commitment to supporting students with SEND is also reassuring. Highly recommend!
Safety & Wellbeing 5/5
Teaching & Learning 5/5
Communication 5/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5
Facilities 5/5
E
Emily W
Parent Nov 22, 2021
4.0

"Some great aspects, but room for improvement"

Overall, we've been pleased with the school's efforts to engage our child in learning. However, there have been some issues with communication and organisation, particularly with regards to the exam invigilation process. I'm hoping that these issues will be addressed soon. Still, the school's commitment to character development is a strong point.
Safety & Wellbeing 3/5
Teaching & Learning 4/5
Communication 4/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5
Facilities 3/5
P
Parent
Parent Sep 2, 2021
2.0

"Please be careful "

Overall I believe that this school is filled with pure favouritism.If you weren't liked by your teacher( not because you are bad or anything) you will get no support at all.For example i did well in my mocks ( got a 6) but because I wasn't exactly bestfriends with my teacher she gave me a low grade(3)for my gcse during Covid which made me not get the subject I wanted in college . Also may I add that once when I got grouped by a bunch of girls which could have resulted in me getting hurt , the headteacher walked passed and simply said " behave girls" and walked passed like it was nothing
Safety & Wellbeing 2/5
Teaching & Learning 2/5
Communication 2/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 2/5
P
Parent
Parent Jan 26, 2021
1.0

"Rubbish"

Terrible school. Teachers don’t really help and the headteacher doesn’t really make the school better. Food is disgusting it tastes like plastics.
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 1/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 1/5
Facilities 1/5
P
Parent
Parent Jan 3, 2021
1.0

"cove school πŸ‘ŽπŸ‘ŽπŸ‘Ž"

terrible school, worst one ever
Safety & Wellbeing 1/5
Teaching & Learning 1/5
Communication 2/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 2/5
Facilities 1/5
J
James B
Parent Jun 15, 2020
4.0

"Fantastic school community!"

My kids attended Cove School from Year 5 to Year 11 and we were thoroughly impressed with the school's values and academic rigour. The teachers were always approachable and the facilities were modern and well-maintained. My kids thrived in the supportive environment and I'm so grateful for the experience.
Safety & Wellbeing 4/5
Teaching & Learning 4/5
Communication 4/5
Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5
Facilities 4/5

Browse More Schools

More Schools in Farnborough

View all

Top Rated Schools in United Kingdom

View all
Join 50,000+ Parents

Help Other Families Make the Right Choice

Your honest review takes just 2 minutes and could help thousands of parents find the perfect school for their child.

🎯

2-min quiz

What kind of parent are you?

Pick 16 words. Get a personalised parenting style profile β€” free.

Take the Quiz