SchoolScoresThe Ongar Academy
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of BRIDGE ACADEMY TRUST
Fyfield Road, Ongar, CM5 0AN
01277 500990 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 16 May 2018.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 1 November 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
95 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
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.
| Statement | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 23rd highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 44% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 83% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 33rd 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. | 78% | 84% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 24th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 43% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 75% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 37 parents whose child had been bullied 34th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 27% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 41% | 49% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 77 parents who had raised a concern Joint 25th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 43% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 69% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 29th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex. Higher than 32% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71%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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
112 pupils in this year group.
26% — 17 points below the Essex average, and 20 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 26% | 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. | 37.4 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.2 | 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.
112 pupils in this year group.
91% — about the same as the Essex average, and about the same as 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. | 91% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 31% | 37% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 9% | 13% |
| Further education college | 52% | 38% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 91% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2022/23
29 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D | C+ | C+ |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 7% | 23% | 24% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 18% | 49% | 50% |
| 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. | 20.7 | 33.5 | 34.2 |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2022/23. 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 offered | 107 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 90 |
| Of those, offered a place | 90 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 193 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 26th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.3% | 22.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 74% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 2.7%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 58th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 47th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 24% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.3% | 9.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 71st lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 8% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 8.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 72nd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 34.2% | 23.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 67th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 21% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 33.3 | 18.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 70th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Lower than 9% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9% | 7.5% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.20% | 0.18% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 77th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 5% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 13.7 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 71st highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9 | 12.9 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 45th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex. Higher than 39% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is The Ongar Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Ongar Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 16 May 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 1 November 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Ongar Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 26% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 20 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Ongar Academy?
71% of the 95 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend The Ongar Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Ongar Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 90 families put The Ongar Academy as their first choice for 107 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 90 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 141947.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2022/23.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.