Alec Hunter Academy
Braintree, CM7 3NR · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
28th of 78 secondary schools in Essex we can score, 81 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 672 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.2/10 among them, against 5.3/10 nationally. 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 | 49.8 · 62 | 30% | 1.86 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.1 · 42 | 25% | 1.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.1 · 56 | 10% | 0.56 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Alec Hunter Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 48.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.1 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2022. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.8 out of 10 among them, against 5.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Homework Club, School Council, and World Challenge. Sports include football and parkour, while arts and music offer tuition and performances like Shrek The Musical JR. Trips range from First World War battlefields in Belgium and Duxford to ski holidays, university visits, and art galleries in London.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,058 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,142. 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
With a Progress 8 score of -0.1, how does the school support pupils to improve their progress from their starting points? How does the curriculum prepare students for the specific demands of the University of Essex careers trip? What
What Ofsted said about Alec Hunter Academy
Overview
Alec Hunter Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils are happy, behave well, and feel safe. The school fosters strong relationships under its motto ‘Kindness above all else’, with staff providing effective support and a curriculum designed to broaden pupils’ horizons through cultural activities and trips.
Strengths
- Pupils are confident that staff will deal with bullying effectively, and such incidents are described as ‘unusual’.
- Teachers possess ‘good subject knowledge’ and ‘correct misconceptions effectively’ as they arise.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are ‘well supported’ and encouraged to participate fully in lessons.
- The ‘Learning for Life’ curriculum successfully develops pupils’ character, resilience, and understanding of personal safety.
- Staff morale is high, with employees feeling ‘valued by a leadership team that is mindful of their workload’.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure approaches to promoting attendance result in persistently absent pupils attending school regularly, as they currently ‘miss too much learning’.
- Leaders should ensure teachers provide regular opportunities for pupils to ‘practise their new knowledge’, as some do not remember what they have been taught in sufficient detail without this.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained to identify vulnerable pupils quickly and a curriculum that helps pupils understand risks such as online grooming.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.8 |
| 2024/25 | 45.7 |
| 2025/26 | 47.1 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of CM7 3NR, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT