Lift Tendring
Frinton-on-Sea, CO13 0AZ · Essex · secondary school
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53rd 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.4/10 against 780 of them, against 2.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.4 · 25 | 30% | 0.76 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.36 · 23 | 25% | 0.58 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.6 · 22 | 10% | 0.23 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Lift Tendring overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 30.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.36 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,464 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,980. 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 strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students starting from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Lift Tendring
Overview
Pupils enjoy attending this academy, benefiting from a "calm and purposeful community" where they feel safe and can learn productively. The report highlights "dramatic improvements" in the educational experience since the previous inspection, with staff consistently applying high expectations for hard work and kindness.
Strengths
- Curriculum plans are "carefully considered and sequenced" and described as "ambitious" across most subjects.
- Teachers possess "specialist subject knowledge" which they use effectively to ensure pupils understand subject-specific terms.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive "effective support" and a "bespoke curriculum offer" in a purposeful environment.
- The careers programme is identified as a "strength," providing pupils with a "clear understanding" of future options.
- Incidents of bullying are "rare," and pupils behave well, showing respect for teachers and engaging positively in learning.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure systems for tackling absence are "sufficiently precise" to improve attendance for disadvantaged pupils, who currently miss out on education.
- In a small number of subjects, the school should ensure assessment and feedback systems are "consistently applied" so pupils can act on feedback to refine their skills.
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 | 38.9 |
| 2024/25 | 36.9 |
| 2025/26 | 40.6 |
| 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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