St Martin's School Brentwood

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

Part of DISCOVERY EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Hanging Hill Lane, Hutton, Brentwood, CM13 2HG

01277 238300 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 24 September 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths45%England 45% · 2024/25
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 54% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,794Room for 1,805 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,794 in 2019, 1,801 in 2021, 1,805 in 2022, 1,867 in 2023, 1,776 in 2024, 1,711 in 2025, 1,794 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.9289 for 316 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 41% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 24 September 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 educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

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

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.

StatementThis schoolEssexEngland
My child is happy at this school
Joint 7th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
90% 83% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
10th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
91% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 10th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
85% 76% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 158 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 27th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 39% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
46% 49% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 324 parents who had raised a concern
24th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 45% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
69% 69% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 90 parents of children with SEND
12th highest of 18 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 26% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
50% 56% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 13th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 64% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
85%said yes 78% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 27%). 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.

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Results

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

251 pupils in this year group.

45% — 2 points above the Essex average, and about the same as the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 45% 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. 45.9 45.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.0 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 48%This school 2023/24: 54%This school 2024/25: 45% This school England 45% 2022/23 48% 2023/24 54% 2024/25 45%

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.

287 pupils in this year group.

95% — 3 points above the Essex average, and 3 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 53%32%
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. 95% 92% 92%
School sixth form 53% 37% 34%
Sixth form college 1% 9% 13%
Further education college 32% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 6% 3% 3%
Work 2% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%95%

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

136 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Average A level grade C+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 20% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 50% 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. 34.1 34.7 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: 31.4This school 2023/24: 31.8This school 2024/25: 34.1 This school England 35 2022/23 31.4 2023/24 31.8 2024/25 34.1

A level subjects, 2024/25

26 subjects, 378 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 41 2% 27% 40%
Business Studies:Single 39 5% 15% 16%
Psychology 37 5% 32% 19%
Biology 30 0% 20% 27%
English Literature 22 5% 14% 23%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 21 5% 14% 14%
Geography 17 0% 12% 23%
History 17 6% 29% 23%
Sociology 16 0% 13% 20%
Chemistry 13 0% 31% 30%
Drama and Theatre Studies 13 0% 15% 19%
Government and Politics 13 0% 15% 26%
Physics 13 0% 15% 31%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 12 50% 75% 38%
English Language 12 0% 0% 13%
Computer Studies / Computing 11 0% 9% 24%
Art and Design (Photography) 10 20% 60% 26%
Logic / Philosophy 10 0% 0% 19%
Design and Technology (Textiles Technology) 6 0% 0% 19%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 6 0% 0% 17%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Design and Technology (Product Design), Mathematics (Further), Music, Music Technology, German, Russian.

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.

190 students in this year group.

87% — 6 points above the Essex average, and 8 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. 87% 81% 79%
Apprenticeship 9% 8% 7%
Work 24% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
87%87%

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.

188 students in this year group.

62% — 8 points above the Essex average, and 2 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 62% 54% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 21% 15% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
71%62%

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 offered316
Families who put it first289
Of those, offered a place257 (89%)
Families who listed it at all1,178

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9

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
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
13.3% 22.6%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 16% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.5% 2.7%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.4% 12.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.7% 9.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Lower than 72% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.1% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
19.4% 23.0%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Lower than 44% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
17.2 18.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Lower than 43% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.5% 7.5% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils 0.29% 0.18% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 87% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.9 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 90% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
14.2 12.9 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Brentwood.
Higher than 46% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
12.6% 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 St Martin's School Brentwood's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 24 September 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did St Martin's School Brentwood do in its GCSEs?

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

Would parents recommend St Martin's School Brentwood?

85% of the 468 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Martin's School Brentwood to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is St Martin's School Brentwood oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 289 families put St Martin's School Brentwood as their first choice for 316 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 257 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.