Davenant Foundation School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Church of England · Sixth form

Part of DAVENANT FOUNDATION SCHOOL

Chester Road, Loughton, IG10 2LD

020 8508 0404 · School website · Map and directions

Ofsted report card6 strong, 1 expectedSafeguarding met · 13 January 2026
Grade 5 or above in English and maths68%England 45% · 2024/25
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Higher than 90% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,199Room for 1,170 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,201 in 2019, 1,258 in 2021, 1,219 in 2022, 1,233 in 2023, 1,252 in 2024, 1,239 in 2025, 1,199 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.1212 for 185 places, September 2026
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Higher than 77% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 13 January 2026 , published 22 March 2026.

In short: 6 strong, 1 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. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.
AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.
Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.
Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than 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. Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

220 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
Joint 3rd highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 81% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
91% 82% 83%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 3rd highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 80% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
93% 85% 85%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 3rd highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 79% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88% 79% 78%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 41 parents whose child had been bullied
2nd highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 86% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
66% 47% 43%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 190 parents who had raised a concern
3rd highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 83% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
83% 73% 74%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 63 parents of children with SEND
3rd highest of 14 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 76% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73% 60% 63%
I would recommend this school to another parent
3rd highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 83% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
94%said yes 83% 83%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 18%). 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

183 pupils in this year group.

68% — 25 points above the Essex average, and 22 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 68% 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. 56.7 45.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.0 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% 80% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 64%This school 2023/24: 68%This school 2024/25: 68% This school England 45% 2022/23 64% 2023/24 68% 2024/25 68%

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.

179 pupils in this year group.

96% — 4 points above the Essex average, and 4 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 64%27%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 96% 92% 92%
School sixth form 64% 37% 34%
Sixth form college 1% 9% 13%
Further education college 27% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 3% 3% 3%
Work 0% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
99%96%

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

162 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Average A level grade B- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 27% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 53% 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. 35.8 34.7 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 37.7This school 2023/24: 35.5This school 2024/25: 35.8 This school England 35 2022/23 37.7 2023/24 35.5 2024/25 35.8

A level subjects, 2024/25

22 subjects, 493 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 54 24% 44% 40%
Psychology 46 4% 15% 19%
Biology 36 11% 25% 27%
English Literature 32 13% 22% 23%
Sociology 32 3% 6% 20%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 31 0% 10% 14%
Business Studies:Single 29 7% 24% 16%
Chemistry 28 4% 25% 30%
Economics 27 7% 37% 26%
History 26 8% 35% 23%
Geography 24 0% 8% 23%
Government and Politics 22 5% 23% 26%
Physics 20 0% 55% 31%
Computer Studies / Computing 17 18% 53% 24%
English Language and Literature 15 0% 13% 16%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 14 14% 29% 38%
Art and Design 10 10% 10% 34%
Mathematics (Further) 9 22% 67% 59%
French 8 0% 25% 38%
Religious Studies 7 14% 57% 22%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Spanish, Environmental Science.

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.

142 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 14% 8% 7%
Work 12% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
92%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.

184 students in this year group.

75% — 21 points above the Essex average, and 15 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 75% 54% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 40% 15% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
81%75%

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 about 1 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered185
Families who put it first212
Of those, offered a place173 (82%)
Families who listed it at all532

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.1

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.

This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.

Admissions dates and schools in Essex

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolEssexEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.2% 22.6%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Higher than 61% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.4% 2.7%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
8.2% 12.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.6% 9.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Lower than 78% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
6.7% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Lower than 73% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
18.6% 23.0%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Lower than 50% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
14.7 18.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Lower than 42% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.7% 7.5% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils 0.16% 0.18% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Higher than 67% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.6 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Higher than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.3 12.9 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Loughton.
Higher than 45% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
12.4% 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 Davenant Foundation School's Ofsted rating?

Davenant Foundation School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 13 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 6 strong, 1 expected, and safeguarding was met.

How did Davenant Foundation School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 68% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 22 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Davenant Foundation School?

94% of the 220 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend Davenant Foundation School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Davenant Foundation School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 212 families put Davenant Foundation School as their first choice for 185 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 173 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.