Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Roman Catholic · Sixth form

Part of SACRED HEART OF MARY GIRLS' SCHOOL

St Mary's Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QR

01708 222660 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 1 October 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths70%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Higher than 91% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils848Room for 797 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 798 in 2019, 826 in 2021, 837 in 2022, 834 in 2023, 820 in 2024, 829 in 2025, 848 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.4170 for 119 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Higher than 92% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 1 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

122 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Havering comparisons use the 6 of its 19 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 13 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 schoolHaveringEngland
My child is happy at this school
1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Havering.
Higher than 96% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
97% 90% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Havering.
Higher than 97% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
99% 91% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Havering.
Higher than 94% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
95% 86% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 28 parents whose child had been bullied
2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Havering.
Higher than 71% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
57% 52% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 62 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Havering.
Higher than 88% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
85% 78% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 20 parents of children with SEND
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Havering.
Higher than 93% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
85% 65% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Havering.
Higher than 91% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
94%said yes 87% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 15%). 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. Havering figures pool parents at the Havering 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.

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Results

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

120 pupils in this year group.

70% — 23 points above the Havering average, and 25 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHaveringEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 70% 48% 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. 62.2 47.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.8 4.3 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: 68%This school 2023/24: 74%This school 2024/25: 70% This school England 45% 2022/23 68% 2023/24 74% 2024/25 70%

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.

120 pupils in this year group.

98% — 6 points above the Havering average, and 6 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 80%14%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolHaveringEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 98% 92% 92%
School sixth form 80% 37% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 1% 13%
Further education college 14% 46% 37%
Apprenticeship 1% 4% 3%
Work 3% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
99%98%

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

92 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolHaveringEngland
Average A level grade C C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 18% 20% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 39% 49% 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. 30 33.5 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 34.3This school 2023/24: 36.9This school 2024/25: 30 This school England 35 2022/23 34.3 2023/24 36.9 2024/25 30

A level subjects, 2024/25

18 subjects, 236 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 44 7% 14% 19%
Biology 32 6% 19% 27%
Economics 27 4% 7% 26%
Mathematics 17 6% 24% 40%
Chemistry 16 0% 25% 30%
Business Studies:Single 14 14% 14% 16%
Film Studies 13 0% 0% 17%
Geography 13 0% 31% 23%
History 12 8% 8% 23%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 11 9% 27% 38%
English Literature 11 0% 9% 23%
Physics 6 17% 33% 31%
Religious Studies 6 0% 17% 22%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Physical Education / Sports Studies, Italian, Polish, French, Mathematics (Further).

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.

124 students in this year group.

94% — 2 points above the Havering average, and 15 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHaveringEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 94% 92% 79%
Apprenticeship 11% 13% 7%
Work 24% 17% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
93%94%

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.

108 students in this year group.

79% — 8 points above the Havering average, and 19 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolHaveringEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 79% 71% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 28% 31% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
81%79%

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 Havering. 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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered119
Families who put it first170
Of those, offered a place111 (65%)
Families who listed it at all475

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.5 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.4

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 Roman Catholic 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 Havering

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolHaveringEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.9% 23.4%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Higher than 17% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.6% 3.4%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.8% 11.1%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
25.6% 21.4%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Lower than 94% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
5.0% 6.9%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Lower than 94% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
10.9% 18.6%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Lower than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
2.7 9.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
1st lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Lower than 90% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
1.9% 4.5% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.17% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.0 15.9 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Higher than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.6 11.7 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Upminster.
Higher than 24% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
9.3% 14.3%* 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 Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 1 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 70% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 25 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School?

94% of the 122 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 170 families put Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School as their first choice for 119 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 111 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.