Jo Richardson Community School
Dagenham, RM9 4UN · Barking and Dagenham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
7th of 13 secondary schools in Barking and Dagenham 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 — 7.6/10 against 572 of them, against 5.6/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 44.6 · 49 | 30% | 1.47 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.2 · 65 | 25% | 1.62 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.4 · 57 | 10% | 0.57 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Jo Richardson Community School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in 2024. In 2024/25, 48.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 50.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.2 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,696 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,700. 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 curriculum support pupils to maintain the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for pupils aiming to exceed the national median in Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Jo Richardson Community School
Overview
The inspection describes the school’s work in supporting pupils to develop into successful young adults as “exceptional.” Leaders have designed a “broad, rich and ambitious curriculum” that prepares students for life after school, resulting in a “calm and productive environment” where pupils achieve extremely well.
Strengths
- Staff possess “highly positive working relationships” with pupils, knowing and caring for them “really well.”
- The curriculum is carefully sequenced to help pupils “flourish in life after school,” incorporating future employment opportunities and fundamental British values.
- Reading and language development are central, with targeted support ensuring even those at early stages become “confident and fluent readers.”
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “quickly identified” and “very well supported” through effective staff training.
- Behaviour is “exemplary,” with pupils enjoying learning and supporting each other, while attendance is described as “strong.”
Areas to improve
- The school is taking “effective steps to secure further improvements” to pupil attendance.
- Leaders are currently modifying the curriculum to increase the uptake of the English Baccalaureate at GCSE.
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 | 47.2 |
| 2024/25 | 50.2 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of RM9 4UN, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT