Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College
Hornchurch, RM12 4YB · Havering · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th of 18 secondary schools in Havering we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.5/10 against 883 of them, against 2.9/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 36.3 · 28 | 30% | 0.84 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.24 · 32 | 25% | 0.79 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.5 · 26 | 10% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2023. In 2024/25, 45.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 882 pupils against a stated capacity of 888. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
Since the Progress 8 score is below 0, what specific support is provided to help pupils improve their progress from their starting point?
What Ofsted said about Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College
Overview
Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College continues to be a good school, where trustees, leaders and staff maintain high expectations for all pupils. The report highlights a strong ethos of support, with pupils feeling happy and safe while embracing the opportunities provided by the school’s performing arts specialism and broad curriculum.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, with bullying being rare and leaders acting quickly when incidents occur.
- The curriculum is carefully sequenced, allowing pupils to build knowledge towards demanding end points, particularly in subjects like geography.
- Leaders prioritise pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they work towards the same goals as their peers through specialist support.
- Staff receive training to provide well-matched reading interventions, helping struggling readers catch up quickly.
- There is a strong culture of personal development, with pupils taught about healthy relationships, mental health and local issues.
Areas to improve
- Teaching does not consistently account for gaps in learning; leaders should ensure teachers routinely check previous learning and close gaps before introducing new material.
- Careers education is not fully embedded in the curriculum; pupils do not find out about the range of careers each subject can lead to, limiting their knowledge of progression routes.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture throughout the school, regular staff training, and robust links with external agencies to support pupils.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.3 |
| 2024/25 | 45.5 |
| 2025/26 | 41.5 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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