Bower Park Academy
Romford, RM1 4YY · Havering · secondary school
Check the area around this school
17th of 18 secondary schools in Havering we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 2.8/10 against 568 of them, against 1.8/10 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 | 33.5 · 22 | 30% | 0.65 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.54 · 14 | 25% | 0.35 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.1 · 16 | 10% | 0.16 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bower Park Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, last inspected in 2023-10. In 2024/25, 31.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.54 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 (2.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 965 pupils against a stated capacity of 963. 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
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students starting from lower baselines?
What Ofsted said about Bower Park Academy
Overview
Bower Park Academy is a secondary school where pupils enjoy a "respectful rapport" with staff and feel part of an "extended family." The report highlights a "broad and ambitious curriculum" that supports personal development and equality, though current examination outcomes do yet reflect the school’s high aspirations. Leaders are actively working to improve attendance and address gaps in academic achievement.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "well planned and sequenced" curriculum, with teachers effectively revisiting key content and vocabulary to deepen understanding.
- Staff work collaboratively to meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), making helpful adaptations and drawing on external expertise.
- The school promotes reading well, offering targeted support for those needing help and encouraging "reading for pleasure" across the school.
- Personal development is strong, with pupils receiving impartial careers advice, work experience, and cultural visits that broaden their experiences.
- Governors and trustees have a "strong understanding" of the school, fostering a positive culture where staff feel "happy and valued."
Areas to improve
- Teaching must ensure pupils’ misconceptions are identified and addressed with "rigour and accuracy" to prevent gaps in knowledge.
- The behaviour management approach is not implemented consistently by all staff, leading to "low-level disruption" in some lessons that affects learning.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.4 |
| 2024/25 | 37.7 |
| 2025/26 | 39.1 |
| 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
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