SchoolScoresHelena Romanes School
Academy · All-through, ages 4 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of SAFFRON ACADEMY TRUST
Parsonage Downs, Great Dunmow, CM6 2AU
01371 872560 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 October 2023.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
264 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
Essex comparisons use the 44 of its 82 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 38 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.
| Statement | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 21st highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 49% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 83% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 24th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 40% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 27th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 36% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 72% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 109 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 30th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 31% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 43% | 49% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 199 parents who had raised a concern 28th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 37% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 69% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 26th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 44% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77%said yes | 78% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
212 pupils in this year group.
50% — 6 points above the Essex average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 50% | 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. | 46.6 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
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.
226 pupils in this year group.
90% — 2 points below the Essex average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 47% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 31% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 90% |
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
76 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 8% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 21% | 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. | 25.0 | 34.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
19 subjects, 171 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 30 | 0% | 3% | 16% |
| Psychology | 25 | 4% | 8% | 19% |
| Sociology | 19 | 0% | 5% | 20% |
| Biology | 12 | 0% | 8% | 27% |
| Economics | 12 | 8% | 33% | 26% |
| English Language and Literature | 10 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Law | 10 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 9 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 8 | 13% | 13% | 17% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 6 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Chemistry, Geography, History, Religious Studies, Art and Design (Fine Art), Environmental Science, Mathematics, Design and Technology (Product Design), Physics.
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.
60 students in this year group.
82% — about the same as the Essex average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 82% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 15% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 32% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 82% |
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.
57 students in this year group.
56% — 2 points above the Essex average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 56% | 54% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 5% | 15% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 46% | 56% |
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 (Year 7)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 199 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 142 |
| Of those, offered a place | 142 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 355 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.7
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.
How hard is it to get in (Reception)?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 17 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 13 |
| Of those, offered a place | 13 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 70 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.8
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 48th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.3% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 70th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.4% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 23rd highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.6% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 51st highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 62nd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 20% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 62nd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.4% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 63rd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 25% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 28.6 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 52nd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils | 0.31% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 17th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 85% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.7 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 16th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.3 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 27th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 61% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is Helena Romanes School's Ofsted rating?
Helena Romanes School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 October 2023.
How did Helena Romanes School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 50% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Helena Romanes School?
77% of the 264 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Helena Romanes School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Helena Romanes School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 142 families put Helena Romanes School as their first choice for 199 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 142 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137975.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.