Burnt Mill Academy
Harlow, CM20 2NR · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
30th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.8/10 against 870 of them, against 5.0/10 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 | 49.1 · 60 | 30% | 1.81 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.21 · 34 | 25% | 0.85 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.2 · 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.
Burnt Mill Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.21 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Chess, Knitting, Combined Cadet Force (CCF), and Duke of Edinburgh clubs, play basketball, and attend an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 959 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How does the after-school club integrate with the academic curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Burnt Mill Academy
Overview
Burnt Mill Academy provides a high-quality education where pupils learn in a “disruption-free environment” and behave well. Leaders have successfully implemented a new curriculum with “high expectations,” ensuring pupils build the “depth and breadth of their knowledge effectively over time.” The school fosters a happy and safe atmosphere, with pupils benefiting from a “rich range of extra-curricular opportunities” and strong support for those with special educational needs.
Strengths
- Pupils “learn and retain important knowledge well” and produce “high-quality work” due to effective teaching and regular checks.
- Staff provide targeted support for pupils with SEND and those struggling with reading, ensuring they are “fully included” and achieve well.
- Behaviour is “calm and orderly,” with leaders setting high expectations that are consistently applied by staff.
- Pupils develop their understanding of spiritual, moral, and cultural issues well, supported by a “well-planned programme of careers education.”
- Leaders engage effectively with staff, appropriately considering “staff workload and well-being.”
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the new curriculum enables all pupils to build the “depth of their knowledge effectively over time,” addressing past weaknesses where some did not make sufficient progress.
- Leaders need to “clearly communicate” support and follow-up regarding behaviour or bullying concerns, as some parents and pupils currently “question the effectiveness of support” due to poor communication.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with staff well-trained to identify risks and leaders working effectively with external agencies.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.6 |
| 2024/25 | 45.2 |
| 2025/26 | 47.2 |
| 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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