Plume School
Maldon, CM9 6AB · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
50th 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 876 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.3/10 among them, against 2.8/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 37.7 · 32 | 30% | 0.95 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.37 · 23 | 25% | 0.57 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.2 · 30 | 10% | 0.30 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Plume School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 for 2023/24 was -0.37, 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 2.2 out of 10 among them, against 2.9 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,789 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,841. 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
With Progress 8 below 0, how does the school support students who are falling behind in core subjects? How does the recent Good inspection influence current teaching strategies?
What Ofsted said about Plume School
Overview
Pupils are described as proud to attend the school, where they receive strong support for their well-being and develop into tolerant, broad-minded individuals. The report highlights a well-designed curriculum that prepares students effectively for adulthood, alongside high expectations for behaviour that are largely met by the student body.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate respect, kindness, and increasing resilience, with staff providing targeted support for the small minority who struggle.
- The curriculum is ambitious and carefully adapted for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring full participation.
- Reading is highly valued, with staff swiftly identifying weaker readers and providing precise support to improve fluency.
- Sixth-form students experience a high-quality curriculum that prepares them well for employment, training, and university.
- Leaders engage well with parents and provide considerate support and training for staff, including early career teachers.
Areas to improve
- Ensure that opportunities to revisit and practise important knowledge, including subject vocabulary, are consistently planned and delivered across all subjects.
- Review systems to ensure pupils, particularly on the Mill Road campus, display positive behaviours for learning throughout the school and do not interrupt others.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.6 |
| 2024/25 | 42.9 |
| 2025/26 | 42.2 |
| 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
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 CM9 6AB, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT