The FitzWimarc School
Rayleigh, SS6 8EB · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
35th 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 625 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.9/10 among them, against 4.2/10 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 | 42.0 · 42 | 30% | 1.27 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.2 · 35 | 25% | 0.87 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.3 · 57 | 10% | 0.57 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The FitzWimarc School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. In 2024/25, 41.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.2 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly 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 0.7 out of 10 among them, against 4.1 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,770 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,820. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores, which are currently below the national benchmark? What specific steps are taken to ensure students meet the higher attainment standards seen in the national median? How does the school manage class sizes given the current proximity to its maximum capacity?
What Ofsted said about The FitzWimarc School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils are polite, courteous, and motivated by high expectations for conduct. Leaders have established an ambitious curriculum that provides a strong academic foundation, particularly in core subjects and the sixth form. The school is well led, with effective support for personal development and safeguarding.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from an “ambitious curriculum” with secure knowledge sequencing, enabling strong progress in subjects like English and science.
- Staff have “established positive relationships with pupils,” providing effective support for mental health, well-being, and those with special educational needs.
- There is a “wide range of opportunities” for personal development, including competitive sport, clubs, and a well-planned ‘skills for life’ curriculum.
- Leaders ensure “high expectations for their conduct,” resulting in lessons that are “mostly disruption free” and a culture where pupils feel happy and safe.
- Sixth-form students achieve well in academic and vocational studies, supported by effective careers education.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure assessments are “consistently used meaningfully,” as some are currently set before pupils have secured the necessary knowledge.
- Leaders need to implement further strategies to address a “small minority of pupils” who are unkind, ensuring all treat each other with tolerance and respect.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff appropriately trained to identify risks and leaders maintaining detailed records with clear follow-up.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.3 |
| 2024/25 | 45.2 |
| 2025/26 | 47.3 |
| 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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