The Ramsey Academy, Halstead
Halstead, CO9 2HR · Essex · secondary school
Check the area around this school
21st 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.5/10 against 888 of them, against 5.7/10 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 | 52.2 · 67 | 46% | 3.10 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.05 · 46 | 38% | 1.78 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.5 · 53 | 15% | 0.81 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Ramsey Academy, Halstead overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.05 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 1.9 out of 10 among them, against 2.8 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 702 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. 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 48 places currently available, how does the school manage class sizes for new intakes? How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their Progress 8 score and the national median? What specific support is offered to help students improve their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about The Ramsey Academy, Halstead
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils "like and respect their teachers" and benefit from an "ambitious curriculum" that has reversed post-pandemic declines in standards. While the quality of education, personal development, and leadership are rated Good, behaviour and attitudes require improvement due to inconsistent conduct and persistent bullying.
Strengths
- Pupils produce "high-quality work" and learn "subject-specific terminology" within a "broad and well-considered curriculum."
- Staff provide "strong support" for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring learning is "carefully adapted."
- Teachers "explain and model new content clearly," helping pupils remember and apply knowledge, such as using historical context to understand literature.
- Personal development is "coherent and effective," with pupils articulating their understanding of online safety and valuing careers education.
- Trustees and governors offer an "appropriate blend of challenge and support," keeping close oversight of provision.
Areas to improve
- The school must implement an "effective programme of support for the weakest readers," as staff lack training in key areas like phonics.
- Teachers need guidance to "check pupils’ understanding thoroughly" to prevent gaps in learning from remaining unaddressed.
- The school must teach pupils "why positive conduct is important" to address the underlying causes of recurring misbehaviour.
- Extra-curricular provision should be enhanced to increase pupil engagement and foster a "greater sense of community."
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 | 44.3 |
| 2024/25 | 39.3 |
| 2025/26 | 46.5 |
| 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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