Epping St John's Church of England School
Epping, CM16 5JB · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
43rd 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 882 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.0/10 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 | 13 | 35% | 0.47 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 46.6 · 55 | 30% | 1.64 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.0 · 50 | 25% | 1.26 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.6 · 53 | 10% | 0.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Epping St John's Church of England School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.0 in 2023/24, meaning pupils performed as well as those nationally starting from the same point. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.7 out of 10 among them, against 4.6 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Drama Club and ESJ Voices, and participate in the ESJ Winter Production.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,036 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,036. 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 from similar backgrounds? How does the new Ofsted framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Epping St John's Church of England School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have secured improvements in teaching, behaviour, and attendance for most pupils, creating a "warm, inclusive community." Pupils achieve well, with outcomes close to national averages, and staff feel valued and supported. However, the inspection identifies specific areas requiring attention, particularly regarding the attendance of disadvantaged pupils and the depth of learning for high achievers.
Strengths
- Pupils "secure important foundational knowledge" in core subjects and are "well prepared for their next steps."
- Staff provide "expert" support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, helping them overcome barriers to learning.
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and "logically ordered," with teachers explaining new ideas clearly and checking understanding.
- Pupils demonstrate respect for others and uphold "fundamental British values," engaging in "deep, meaningful discussions."
- Post-16 students achieve well, with many A-level students making "better progress than their peers nationally."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must implement plans to help disadvantaged pupils overcome barriers to regular attendance, as some are "absent from school too often."
- Staff need expertise to adapt teaching so that pupils capable of "greater depth of learning" achieve as well as they could.
- Leaders should monitor the personal development programme more closely to ensure a "consistent learning experience."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.6 |
| 2024/25 | 42.8 |
| 2025/26 | 46.6 |
| 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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