Harris Academy Wickford
Wickford, SS12 0LZ · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
75th 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 897 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.3/10 among them, against 1.2/10 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 | 25.3 · 8 | 46% | 0.38 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.5 · 16 | 38% | 0.61 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.2 · 13 | 15% | 0.19 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harris Academy Wickford overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 24.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 35.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.5 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than the national average for similar starting points. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.3 out of 10 among them, against 1.1 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Drama, Film, Art, Reading, and Chess Clubs, or participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and The Brilliant Club’s Scholars Programme. E-Sports is offered as a sport. Trips include theatre visits to London and Southend, a Student Voice visit to Parliament, university visits to Cambridge and Essex, STEM events at Bletchley Park, an art trip to Cornwall, an art and drama trip to New York, and a ski trip to America in Spring 2026.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,181 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,260. 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 support is available for students aiming for Progress
What Ofsted said about Harris Academy Wickford
Overview
The report states that the school has “improved since the previous inspection and considerably so in some areas,” with pupils enjoying a welcoming environment where they feel cared for. While behaviour, personal development, and leadership are rated Good, the quality of education is judged as Requires improvement due to variability in teaching and curriculum planning. Consequently, pupils “do not always achieve as well as they should,” although sixth-form students benefit from a well-planned curriculum and high-quality teaching.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, are “kind and respectful,” and staff build positive relationships with them.
- Personal development is a strength, with a “precisely planned-out” PHSE curriculum and effective promotion of diversity.
- Attendance is high, supported by staff working “resolutely to address historical issues” and barriers.
- Sixth-form provision is Good, with students receiving “well-considered guidance” for their future lives.
- Reading is a high priority, with effective interventions helping weaker readers access the curriculum.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must use checks on learning to “identify and address gaps in pupils’ knowledge” so misconceptions are resolved.
- The school must ensure important knowledge is “identified precisely in all subjects” to help pupils build understanding securely.
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 | 38.2 |
| 2024/25 | 35.9 |
| 2025/26 | 38.2 |
| 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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