Stewards Academy - Science Specialist, Harlow
Harlow, CM18 7NQ · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
77th 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 — 1.3/10 against 595 of them, against 1.1/10 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 | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 29.4 · 15 | 30% | 0.44 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.01 · 2 | 25% | 0.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.1 · 20 | 10% | 0.20 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Stewards Academy - Science Specialist, Harlow overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 31.0% 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 -1.01 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, 1.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in June 2024.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils attend theatre trips including Blood Brothers, Les Miserables, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Getting in
The published school roll is 978 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 attainment gap identified in the 2024 inspection? What specific actions are being taken to improve Progress 8 scores? How does the curriculum prepare students for the transition to sixth form or employment?
What Ofsted said about Stewards Academy - Science Specialist, Harlow
Overview
The report states that pupils have "frequent opportunities to increase their confidence" through a broad range of clubs and leadership roles. However, the "quality of education" and "behaviour and attitudes" are judged as requiring improvement, as the curriculum is not consistently taught well enough and behaviour is sometimes disruptive.
Strengths
- Pupils develop leadership skills and access a "broad curriculum" including vocational courses that prepare them for future employment.
- The personal, social and health education curriculum is "carefully planned" and effectively prepares pupils for adulthood.
- Staff feel "well supported with their well-being and workload" and enjoy working at the school.
- The school makes "good use of part-time alternative provision" to build pupils’ confidence.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure curriculum plans clearly identify key knowledge in all subjects, as current plans in some areas are not precise enough.
- Staff require training to ensure they have sufficient subject knowledge to provide "engaging, high-quality learning experiences" for all pupils, including those with SEND.
- Leaders must ensure the behaviour policy is "followed consistently by all staff" to prevent disruptive behaviour and mixed messages.
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 | 33.5 |
| 2024/25 | 38.9 |
| 2025/26 | 40.1 |
| 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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