West Hatch High School

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

Part of WEST HATCH HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY TRUST

High Road, Chigwell, IG7 5BT

020 8504 8216 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 19 September 2013; confirmed 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths51%England 45% · 2024/25
Joint 19th highest of 79 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 67% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,573Room for 1,523 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,234 in 2019, 1,356 in 2021, 1,396 in 2022, 1,439 in 2023, 1,505 in 2024, 1,564 in 2025, 1,573 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.3328 for 248 places, September 2026
10th highest of 79 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 88% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 19 September 2013.

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
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Leadership and managementGood

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 29 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

146 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.

StatementThis schoolEssexEngland
My child is happy at this school
Joint 4th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
92% 83% 88%
My child feels safe 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.
92% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
9th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
86% 76% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 57 parents whose child had been bullied
5th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 82% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
61% 49% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 113 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 6th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 82% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
82% 69% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 7th highest of 44 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Essex.
Higher than 73% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88%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

248 pupils in this year group.

51% — 8 points above the Essex average, and 5 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 51% 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. 49.5 45.1 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.1 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 47%This school 2023/24: 59%This school 2024/25: 51% This school England 45% 2022/23 47% 2023/24 59% 2024/25 51%

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.

241 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 59%29%
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 59% 37% 34%
Sixth form college 2% 9% 13%
Further education college 29% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 3% 3% 3%
Work 1% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
97%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

135 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Average A level grade C+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 17% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 46% 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. 33.3 34.7 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 35.4This school 2023/24: 33.9This school 2024/25: 33.3 This school England 35 2022/23 35.4 2023/24 33.9 2024/25 33.3

A level subjects, 2024/25

23 subjects, 353 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 50 12% 24% 40%
Business Studies:Single 34 3% 18% 16%
Biology 27 0% 4% 27%
Economics 24 8% 29% 26%
English Language and Literature 24 4% 8% 16%
Chemistry 19 11% 32% 30%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 18 0% 6% 14%
Psychology 18 0% 0% 19%
Government and Politics 17 0% 18% 26%
Geography 15 7% 20% 23%
Sociology 15 0% 13% 20%
History 14 0% 21% 23%
Religious Studies 14 0% 0% 22%
Computer Studies / Computing 12 8% 33% 24%
Physics 12 8% 17% 31%
Art and Design 8 0% 38% 34%
Drama and Theatre Studies 8 0% 0% 19%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 7 0% 0% 15%
English Literature 7 0% 14% 23%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Spanish, Mathematics (Further), Physical Education / Sports Studies, 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.

95 students in this year group.

79% — 2 points below the Essex average, and about the same as 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. 79% 81% 79%
Apprenticeship 6% 8% 7%
Work 11% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
87%79%

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.

130 students in this year group.

68% — 14 points above the Essex average, and 8 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolEssexEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 68% 54% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 22% 15% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
68%68%

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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered248
Families who put it first328
Of those, offered a place213 (65%)
Families who listed it at all784

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 1.3

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
41st highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
20.6% 22.6%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
36th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.8% 2.7%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
56th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.7% 12.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
22nd highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
13.6% 9.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
Joint 23rd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.2% 8.6%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
27th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Lower than 67% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
20.1% 23.0%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
29th lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.0 18.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
33rd lowest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Lower than 63% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
5.2% 7.5% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils 0.13% 0.18% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 57th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 47% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.7 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 38th highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.9 12.9 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
Joint 41st highest of 81 state secondary schools in Essex.
Higher than 42% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
12.0% 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

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

Questions parents ask

What is West Hatch High School's Ofsted rating?

West Hatch High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 September 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 29 November 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.

How did West Hatch High School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 51% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend West Hatch High School?

88% of the 146 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend West Hatch High School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is West Hatch High School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 328 families put West Hatch High School as their first choice for 248 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 213 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.