The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls
Romford, RM1 2RR · Havering · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 18 secondary schools in Havering we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.5/10 against 908 of them, against 7.7/10 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 | 55.8 · 75 | 46% | 3.45 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.39 · 78 | 38% | 3.02 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.8 · 80 | 15% | 1.23 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 45.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.39 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Railway & Engineering Club and attend an after-school club. Trips include Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, geography field trips, a trip to Norway, a ski trip, a History Maritime Museum visit, a Ypres trip, and a Politics trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,381 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,340. 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
What specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the various trip costs structured for families?
What Ofsted said about The Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls
Overview
The report describes a "friendly, welcoming school" where pupils feel "happy and safe" and are "genuinely cared for." Leaders and staff maintain "very high expectations," fostering a culture of respect and a strong sense of belonging, particularly through the school’s focus on "female empowerment."
Strengths
- The curriculum is "highly ambitious," with content carefully sequenced to build knowledge progressively, helping pupils become "highly proficient in recalling what they have previously learned."
- Pupils demonstrate "high levels of respect for staff and for each other," with "excellent" behaviour across the school and high attendance rates.
- Personal development is a "considerable strength," supported by a "thoughtfully structured" programme and high-quality enrichment opportunities like the ‘Appleby Gallery’ and student leadership roles.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "very well supported," with staff accurately identifying needs and adapting teaching to ensure access to the full curriculum.
- Safeguarding arrangements are "effective," with staff well-informed about procedures and a culture that puts pupils’ interests first.
Areas to improve
- In a "small number of subjects," assessment is used inconsistently to check understanding, meaning "misconceptions are sometimes missed and not fully addressed."
- The school should ensure that "pupils’ knowledge and understanding is routinely checked before new content is introduced" to prevent gaps in learning.
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 | 54.7 |
| 2024/25 | 51.4 |
| 2025/26 | 52.8 |
| 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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