The Basildon Upper Academy

Academy · Secondary, ages 14 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of THE BASILDON ACADEMIES

Wickford Avenue, Pitsea, Basildon, SS13 3HL

01268 552536 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 8 November 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths21%England 45% · 2024/25
4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Higher than 4% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils847Room for 1,400 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 505 in 2019, 607 in 2021, 707 in 2022, 781 in 2023, 900 in 2024, 913 in 2025, 847 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
Free school meals46%of pupils eligible now

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 8 November 2023.

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 attitudesRequires improvement
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

50 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.

Basildon comparisons use the 3 of its 5 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 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 schoolBasildonEngland
My child is happy at this school
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Basildon.
Higher than 2% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
36% 69% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Basildon.
Higher than 2% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
38% 69% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Basildon.
Higher than 2% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
26% 65% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 37 parents whose child had been bullied
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Basildon.
Higher than 1% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
14% 34% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 43 parents who had raised a concern
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Basildon.
Higher than 1% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
16% 56% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Basildon.
Higher than 2% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
26%said yes 65% 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. Basildon figures pool parents at the Basildon 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

292 pupils in this year group.

21% — 22 points below the Essex average, and 25 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 21% 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. 28.7 45.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 2.6 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 23%This school 2023/24: 19%This school 2024/25: 21% This school England 45% 2022/23 23% 2023/24 19% 2024/25 21%

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.

257 pupils in this year group.

82% — 10 points below the Essex average, and 10 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 82% 92% 92%
School sixth form 49% 37% 34%
Sixth form college 1% 9% 13%
Further education college 27% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 2% 3% 3%
Work 4% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
83%82%

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

69 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Average A level grade D- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 5% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 16% 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. 16.9 34.7 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
0 10 20 30 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 18.8This school 2023/24: 14.1This school 2024/25: 16.9 This school England 35 2022/23 18.8 2023/24 14.1 2024/25 16.9

A level subjects, 2024/25

15 subjects, 137 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 20 0% 5% 19%
Biology 15 0% 0% 27%
Mathematics 14 7% 14% 40%
Design and Technology (Engineering) 12 0% 0% 10%
Accounting / Finance 11 0% 0% 15%
Chemistry 11 0% 9% 30%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 10 10% 20% 38%
Sociology 10 0% 0% 20%
English Literature 8 0% 0% 23%
Art and Design (3d Studies) 7 0% 14% 28%
Physics 6 0% 0% 31%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Graphics), Art and Design (Photography), Drama and Theatre Studies, Art and Design (Textiles).

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.

68% — 13 points below the Essex average, and 11 points below 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. 68% 81% 79%
Apprenticeship 6% 8% 7%
Work 36% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
67%68%

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.

67 students in this year group.

33% — 21 points below the Essex average, and 27 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 33% 54% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 4% 15% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
45%33%

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.

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 Basildon.
Higher than 86% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
47.5% 22.6%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.0% 2.7%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
14.9% 12.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
25.8% 9.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Lower than 0% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
20.8% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Lower than 0% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
49.9% 23.0%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Lower than 44% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
17.3 18.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Lower than 26% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.2% 7.5% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil 0.11% 0.18% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Higher than 5% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
13.7 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Higher than 83% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.5 12.9 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Basildon.
Higher than 99% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
45.4% 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 The Basildon Upper Academy's Ofsted rating?

The Basildon Upper Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 8 November 2023.

How did The Basildon Upper Academy do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 21% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 25 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend The Basildon Upper Academy?

26% of the 50 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend The Basildon Upper Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.