Debden Park High School
Loughton, IG10 2BQ · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
25th 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 874 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 46.2 · 53 | 46% | 2.47 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.02 · 52 | 38% | 1.99 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.4 · 57 | 15% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Debden Park High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.3% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 48.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.02 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.2 out of 10 among them, against 6.0 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Adopt-A-Team, Mentoring, Charity Events, and the Enterprise Challenge. They also participate in World Challenge and the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,046 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,120. 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 the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award? How are class sizes managed with the current roll?
What Ofsted said about Debden Park High School
Overview
Debden Park High School is described as a place where pupils are encouraged to ‘Be their own future’, developing both academic skills and character. The report highlights that pupils demonstrate clear ‘appreciation and respect of others’, resulting in positive behaviour and a supportive environment. Leaders have driven ‘rapid improvements’ in a short time, creating a culture where staff feel ‘supported, empowered and proud’.
Strengths
- The curriculum is designed to ‘challenge pupils’ while securing ‘firm foundations in their knowledge and skills’.
- Personal development is ‘Outstanding’, with a curriculum covering complex topics like mental health and equality, alongside extensive enrichment opportunities.
- Sixth-form provision is ‘Outstanding’, offering ‘exceptional support’ and helping students achieve well in their academic and personal aspirations.
- Staff benefit from extensive professional development, and leaders take ‘staff workload into account’.
- A ‘sharp focus on reading across the curriculum’ helps pupils access written work effectively, with additional support for weaker readers.
Areas to improve
- The report states that ‘on occasion, staff use teaching strategies and approaches which do not support pupils’ learning as effectively as they could’.
- Consequently, ‘some pupils do not progress as well as they can’, requiring the school to ‘refine the strategies used in the classroom’ to ensure they have the greatest impact.
Safeguarding
The report confirms that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 48.4 |
| 2024/25 | 48.3 |
| 2025/26 | 47.4 |
| 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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