SchoolScoresSt Mark's West Essex Catholic School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Part of ST. MARK'S WEST ESSEX CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Tripton Road, Harlow, CM18 6AA
01279 421267 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 February 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 |
| Sixth form | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
170 pupils in this year group.
39% — 4 points below the Essex average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 39% | 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. | 46.3 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.3 | 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.
167 pupils in this year group.
96% — 4 points above the Essex average, and 4 points above 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. | 96% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 54% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 37% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 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
99 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 | 5% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 25% | 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. | 22.3 | 34.7 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
23 subjects, 227 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 33 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Sociology | 30 | 0% | 7% | 20% |
| Business Studies:Single | 16 | 0% | 6% | 16% |
| Biology | 15 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 14 | 0% | 14% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 13 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Government and Politics | 13 | 0% | 8% | 26% |
| Law | 13 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 11 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| Physics | 10 | 0% | 10% | 31% |
| Economics | 9 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 9 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 6 | 0% | 17% | 24% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 6 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Religious Studies | 6 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Geography, Drama and Theatre Studies, Art and Design, German, Bengali, Polish, Turkish.
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.
88 students in this year group.
94% — 13 points above the Essex average, and 15 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. | 94% | 81% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 8% | 7% |
| Work | 16% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 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.
97 students in this year group.
81% — 27 points above the Essex average, and 21 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 81% | 54% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 6% | 15% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 77% | 81% |
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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 180 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 197 |
| Of those, offered a place | 173 (88%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 473 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.1 · 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 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.1% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 19% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.7% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.6% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. 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 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Lower than 78% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Lower than 69% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.6 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Lower than 55% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.2% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 56% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.6 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Harlow. Higher than 17% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 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
- Bmat Stem Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 15% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sir Frederick Gibberd College 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Burnt Mill Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Passmores Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 21% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stewards Academy - Science Specialist, Harlow 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mark Hall Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Saint Nicholas School 2.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Mark's West Essex Catholic School's Ofsted rating?
St Mark's West Essex Catholic School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 February 2023.
How did St Mark's West Essex Catholic School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 39% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 7 points below the England average of 45%.
Is St Mark's West Essex Catholic School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 197 families put St Mark's West Essex Catholic School as their first choice for 180 places: about one first-choice application 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
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137058.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.