Mark Hall Academy
Harlow, CM17 9LR · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
71st 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 857 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.8/10 among them, against 1.6/10 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 | 35.5 · 26 | 46% | 1.18 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.82 · 5 | 38% | 0.21 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.8 · 12 | 15% | 0.18 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Mark Hall Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.82 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.4 out of 10 among them, against 1.2 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 867 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,080. 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 students to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Mark Hall Academy
Overview
The report states that the quality of education ‘Requires Improvement’, while behaviour, personal development, and leadership are rated ‘Good’. Inspectors found that although the curriculum is broad and balanced, it is not implemented consistently well, meaning pupils do not develop their knowledge and skills as effectively as they should.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate ‘determination, confidence and respect’, creating a ‘calm and orderly’ environment where they can learn without disruption.
- There are ‘warm relationships between pupils and staff’, with ‘strong and effective pastoral care’ ensuring pupils feel safe and supported.
- The school offers a ‘range of enrichment opportunities’, such as music and drama, which help pupils ‘broaden their skills and develop their confidence’.
- Personal development provision is ‘comprehensive’, including a ‘very strong careers programme’ and education on online safety and healthy relationships.
- Leaders and the trust provide ‘highly effective challenge and support’, with staff appreciating the training and ‘open-door policy’.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum is ‘not implemented as consistently well as intended’, preventing pupils from achieving well and developing secure knowledge.
- Classroom assessment ‘does not help staff to identify what pupils know and understand well enough’, leaving misconceptions unaddressed and gaps in knowledge.
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 | 34.2 |
| 2024/25 | 38.9 |
| 2025/26 | 37.8 |
| 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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