Tabor Academy
Braintree, CM7 5XP · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
74th 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 889 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.9/10 among them, against 1.8/10 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 | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 31.6 · 18 | 30% | 0.53 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.41 · 20 | 25% | 0.50 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.5 · 14 | 10% | 0.14 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Tabor Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 31.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.41 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 0.9 out of 10 among them, against 1.9 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in November 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 989 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 plan to improve Progress 8 scores for students with similar backgrounds? What specific actions are being taken to address the Requires improvement rating from the 2023 inspection? How does the current intake of 989 pupils affect class sizes and individual attention?
What Ofsted said about Tabor Academy
Overview
Tabor Academy is described as a "warm and welcoming school" with a "calm and orderly atmosphere" where pupils are happy to attend. While behaviour and personal development are strong, the report states that the quality of education and leadership require improvement, particularly regarding curriculum sequencing and support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate good behaviour, respecting individual differences and adhering to high expectations for punctuality and conduct.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with anti-bullying ambassadors helping to ensure pupils feel safe and supported.
- Reading is given a "high profile," with precise assessments and effective support programmes, including phonics, helping pupils catch up.
- The sixth-form provision is consistent and successful, with staff using expertise well to enable students to progress to university or apprenticeships.
- Personal development is fostered through revisited topics, "Tabor pledges," and appropriate careers advice.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must evaluate curriculum sequencing across all subjects to ensure knowledge is built "sequentially and effectively over time," as some subjects lack clear logical progression.
- The school should ensure all staff implement adaptive teaching strategies effectively so that all pupils, including those with SEND, can learn the most important knowledge in each subject.
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 | 39.8 |
| 2024/25 | 38.5 |
| 2025/26 | 38.5 |
| 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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