Brentwood County High School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of OSBORNE CO-OPERATIVE ACADEMY TRUST

Seven Arches Road, Brentwood, CM14 4JF

01277 238900 · School website · Map and directions

Ofsted report card1 strong, 6 expectedSafeguarding met · 10 March 2026
Grade 5 or above in English and maths43%England 45% · 2024/25
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 47% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,097Room for 1,405 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 941 in 2019, 842 in 2021, 934 in 2022, 1,027 in 2023, 1,109 in 2024, 1,103 in 2025, 1,097 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.6120 for 205 places, September 2026
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 8% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 10 March 2026 , published 8 May 2026.

In short: 1 strong, 6 expected, and safeguarding met.

Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.

AreaGrade
SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. Met
InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.
Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.
Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

209 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.

Essex comparisons use the 16 of its 82 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 66 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolEssexEngland
My child is happy at this school
9th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 47% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78% 82% 83%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 7th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 51% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
83% 85% 85%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
9th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 58% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
79% 79% 78%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 47 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 4th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 70% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
55% 47% 43%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 188 parents who had raised a concern
10th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 37% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
64% 73% 74%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 61 parents of children with SEND
10th highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 43% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
54% 60% 63%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 10th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 46% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80%said yes 83% 83%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 19%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Essex figures pool parents at the Essex schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

146 pupils in this year group.

43% — about the same as the Essex average, and 3 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 43% 43% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 43.2 45.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.9 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 29%This school 2023/24: 43%This school 2024/25: 43% This school England 45% 2022/23 29% 2023/24 43% 2024/25 43%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

99 pupils in this year group.

86% — 6 points below the Essex average, and 6 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 86% 92% 92%
School sixth form 37% 37% 34%
Sixth form college 1% 9% 13%
Further education college 39% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 6% 3% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
98%86%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

101 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Average A level grade C- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 13% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 32% 54% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 27.8 34.7 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
15 20 25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 22.0This school 2023/24: 26.3This school 2024/25: 27.8 This school England 35 2022/23 22.0 2023/24 26.3 2024/25 27.8

A level subjects, 2024/25

19 subjects, 211 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Sociology 33 9% 21% 20%
Psychology 24 4% 8% 19%
Biology 21 5% 5% 27%
Mathematics 17 12% 24% 40%
Economics 14 0% 7% 26%
Chemistry 11 0% 9% 30%
Government and Politics 11 9% 9% 26%
History 11 9% 9% 23%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 10 0% 0% 14%
Accounting / Finance 9 0% 0% 15%
Computer Studies / Computing 9 0% 0% 24%
Business Studies:Single 7 14% 14% 16%
English Language and Literature 7 0% 0% 16%
Geography 7 0% 29% 23%
Physics 7 0% 14% 31%
Art and Design 6 17% 33% 34%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Law, Chinese, Italian.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

188 students in this year group.

92% — 11 points above the Essex average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 92% 81% 79%
Apprenticeship 10% 8% 7%
Work 31% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
83%92%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

109 students in this year group.

58% — 4 points above the Essex average, and 2 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 58% 54% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 7% 15% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
71%58%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Essex. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.

Places offered205
Families who put it first120
Of those, offered a place120 (100%)
Families who listed it at all620

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.5 · 2025: 0.6 · 2026: 0.6

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

Admissions dates and schools in Essex

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolEssexEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
25.4% 22.6%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.1% 2.7%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.5% 12.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 49% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
11.9% 9.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Lower than 57% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.9% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Lower than 57% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
22.1% 23.0%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Lower than 39% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
19.1 18.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Lower than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.5% 7.5% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil 0.09% 0.18% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 74% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.0 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 82% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.4 12.9 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 80% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
19.9% 13.3%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Brentwood County High School's Ofsted rating?

Brentwood County High School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 10 March 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 1 strong, 6 expected, and safeguarding was met.

How did Brentwood County High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 43% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Brentwood County High School?

80% of the 209 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Brentwood County High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Brentwood County High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 120 families put Brentwood County High School as their first choice for 205 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 120 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.