Drapers' Academy
Romford, RM3 9XR · Havering · secondary school
Check the area around this school
18th 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 — 4.8/10 against 442 of them, against 2.6/10 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 | 32.0 · 18 | 46% | 0.84 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.13 · 40 | 38% | 1.54 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.4 · 17 | 15% | 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.
Drapers' Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 35.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.13 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 (5.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh award and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,196 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
What support is available for pupils whose Progress 8 score is below 0? How does the after-school club integrate with the Duke of Edinburgh programme?
What Ofsted said about Drapers' Academy
Overview
Drapers’ Academy is described as a school where pupils are “safe” and “fully included” in a welcoming community. The report highlights a “broad and well-considered curriculum” that matches national expectations, with teachers who are “experts in their subjects.” Leaders are noted for their “ambitious” approach and “forensic understanding” of the school’s strengths, ensuring high expectations for behaviour and attendance.
Strengths
- Pupils are “fully included and happily welcomed,” with individual needs “well understood” and swift responses to concerns.
- The curriculum is “carefully sequenced” to build knowledge over time, with reading “prioritised across the school.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “swiftly identified” and receive tailored support, including internships.
- Staff feel “well supported” and value opportunities for professional development, while leaders engage effectively with parents.
- Sixth-form students enjoy a “broad and well-considered” curriculum, with many progressing to their “first-choice university.”
Areas to improve
- Teachers must “consistently check for and address any gaps in pupils’ knowledge,” as current checks do not always identify misconceptions sharply.
- Leaders should ensure “consistent strategies across different subjects” to guarantee pupils’ written work is of “high quality” and demonstrates secure understanding.
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 | 41.7 |
| 2024/25 | 38.8 |
| 2025/26 | 39.4 |
| 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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