Hartlepool Free School

About Hartlepool Free School

We aim to provide first-rate education for students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) conditions, supporting families from Hartlepool, and from across the Tees Valley. Our values - Kindness, a Growth Mindset, Resilience, and Personal Responsibility - are at the heart of everything we do.

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Key Facts

Founded 2024

Head/Principal Tristan Keates

Rating Breakdown

Based on verified reviews

Safety & Security 4.3

Teaching Quality 4.3

Communication 4.7

Student Wellbeing 4.3

Facilities 4.7

School Workforce

Teacher and staff information • 2024-2025

Note: These figures are estimated based on national averages. Actual school-level data not yet available.

20.0:1

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Good

1.0

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 • 2023-2024

Note: Progress 8 scores are not available for 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years due to COVID-19 impact on prior attainment data.

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

Reviews 4

K

Katie M

Parent Jun 10, 2023

5.0

"Wonderful School with a True Heart"

I'm so grateful to have found Hartlepool Free School for my child. The staff are like a second family to us and the school's focus on outdoor learning and animal care is just what my child needs. The school's values of kindness, growth mindset, and personal responsibility are truly embedded in everything they do. My child has flourished here and I couldn't recommend the school more highly.

Safety & Wellbeing 4/5

Teaching & Learning 4/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful

A

Ava T

Parent Feb 15, 2023

5.0

"Excellent SEMH Support and Facilities"

My child has been at Hartlepool Free School for a year now and it's been life-changing. The staff are kind, supportive, and genuinely care about our well-being. The facilities are excellent, especially the nature-based leisure areas which my child loves. I'm so grateful for the school's emphasis on kindness, growth mindset, and personal responsibility - it's really helping my child to thrive.

Safety & Wellbeing 5/5

Teaching & Learning 5/5

Communication 5/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 5/5

Facilities 5/5

Helpful

J

James D

Parent Jan 25, 2023

3.0

"Mixed Experience, Room for Improvement"

My child has been at Hartlepool Free School for a year and while I've seen some improvement in their confidence and social skills, I feel like the school could do more to support children with more complex SEND needs. The facilities are lovely and the staff are generally friendly, but I've had some concerns about communication and consistency. I'm hoping that the school will address these issues and continue to improve in the coming years.

Safety & Wellbeing 3/5

Teaching & Learning 3/5

Communication 3/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 3/5

Facilities 3/5

Helpful

E

Emily G

Parent Sep 20, 2022

4.0

"Strong SEN Support and Community Focus"

I was a parent at Hartlepool Free School for a few years before moving out of the area. My child received excellent support for their SEND needs and the school's commitment to community engagement is really something special. The principal, Tristan Keates, is a true leader and his values-based approach really shines through. My only criticism is that the school could benefit from additional resources for more complex SEND cases.

Safety & Wellbeing 4/5

Teaching & Learning 4/5

Communication 4/5

Mental & Emotional Wellbeing 4/5

Facilities 4/5

Helpful