The King Edmund School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of THE KING EDMUND SCHOOL

Vaughan Close, Rochford, SS4 1TL

01702 545771 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 23 January 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths23%England 45% · 2024/25
72nd highest of 79 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 6% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,318Room for 1,600 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,583 in 2019, 1,600 in 2021, 1,573 in 2022, 1,516 in 2023, 1,430 in 2024, 1,354 in 2025, 1,318 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.8169 for 199 places, September 2026
53rd highest of 79 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 31% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 23 January 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 managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

171 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 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
34th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
74% 83% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
34th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
77% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
Joint 33rd highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 26% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
65% 76% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 73 parents whose child had been bullied
36th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 20% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
38% 49% 50%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 143 parents who had raised a concern
31st highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 32% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
62% 69% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
34th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 28% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
69%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.

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Results

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

236 pupils in this year group.

23% — 21 points below the Essex average, and 23 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 23% 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. 36.3 45.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 2.9 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: 21%This school 2023/24: 19%This school 2024/25: 23% This school England 45% 2022/23 21% 2023/24 19% 2024/25 23%

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.

266 pupils in this year group.

88% — 4 points below the Essex average, and 4 points below the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 39%39%
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. 88% 92% 92%
School sixth form 39% 37% 34%
Sixth form college 0% 9% 13%
Further education college 39% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 3% 3%
Work 5% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
92%88%

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

56 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Average A level grade D+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 2% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 14% 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. 22.0 34.7 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
15 20 25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 25.4This school 2023/24: 27This school 2024/25: 22.0 This school England 35 2022/23 25.4 2023/24 27 2024/25 22.0

A level subjects, 2024/25

19 subjects, 125 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Business Studies:Single 21 0% 10% 16%
Economics 14 0% 0% 26%
Mathematics 11 0% 0% 40%
Psychology 11 0% 0% 19%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 7 0% 0% 38%
English Literature 7 0% 0% 23%
Sociology 7 0% 14% 20%
Geography 6 0% 0% 23%
Physics 6 0% 0% 31%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: History, Media/Film/Tv Studies, Biology, Computer Studies / Computing, Law, Design and Technology (Product Design), Religious Studies, Spanish, Chemistry, English Language and Literature.

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.

144 students in this year group.

81% — about the same as the Essex average, and 2 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. 81% 81% 79%
Apprenticeship 8% 8% 7%
Work 44% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
80%81%

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.

126 students in this year group.

42% — 12 points below the Essex average, and 18 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 42% 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

2023/242024/25
41%42%

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 fewer first-choice applications than places.

Places offered199
Families who put it first169
Of those, offered a place169 (100%)
Families who listed it at all439

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

Admissions dates and schools in Essex

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolEssexEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
14th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
33.5% 22.6%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
Joint 24th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.3% 2.7%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
65th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.0% 12.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
40th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.6% 9.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
58th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Lower than 28% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.7% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
59th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Lower than 27% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
28.1% 23.0%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
62nd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Lower than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
27.5 18.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
58th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Lower than 30% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.6% 7.5% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded4 pupils 0.30% 0.18% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
74th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 17% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
15.0 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
64th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.8 12.9 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
Joint 58th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 24% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
9.3% 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.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is The King Edmund School's Ofsted rating?

The King Edmund School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 23 January 2024.

How did The King Edmund School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 23% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 23 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend The King Edmund School?

69% of the 171 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend The King Edmund School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is The King Edmund School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 169 families put The King Edmund School as their first choice for 199 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 169 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.