The Sydney Russell School
Dagenham, RM9 5QT · Barking and Dagenham · all-through school
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4th of 13 secondary schools in Barking and Dagenham 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 — 9.0/10 against 871 of them, against 8.0/10 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 | 86 | 35% | 3.01 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 54.5 · 72 | 30% | 2.17 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.72 · 91 | 25% | 2.29 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 50.9 · 74 | 10% | 0.74 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Sydney Russell School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 stood at +0.72 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 (9.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join clubs for chess, science, humanities, maths, computers, languages, and dance. Sports include football, cricket, netball, rugby, basketball, and athletics. Arts and music features choir, orchestra, steel band, and various festivals and concerts. Trips visit Trewern Outdoor Centre, Danbury Camp, a watersports centre in the South of France, and a ski resort in Austria. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 2,568 pupils against a stated capacity of 2,670. 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 new Ofsted framework affect day
What Ofsted said about The Sydney Russell School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils achieve highly and benefit from an "exceptional" personal development programme that has a "profound, positive impact" on many, particularly those facing disadvantage. Leaders maintain a "highly accurate understanding" of the curriculum, ensuring robust attendance, excellent behaviour, and strong support for inclusion across all phases.
Strengths
- Personal development is rated "Exceptional," with pupils accessing "comprehensive and deep" experiences in life skills, careers, and enrichment activities like robotics and theatre.
- Pupils "achieve highly" and make excellent progress in primary and secondary phases, with attainment significantly above national averages in English and mathematics.
- Attendance is frequent and sustained due to "robust systems" that quickly identify trends and provide targeted support for pupils facing barriers.
- Behaviour is described as "extremely well," with pupils showing "high levels of respect" and operating in a "calm, orderly environment."
- Inclusion is rated "Strong standard," with "precise support" for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, including a specially resourced provision for autism.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "embed recent improvements to the teaching of students in post-16 provision" to ensure all students, including those with higher prior attainment, make excellent progress.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 53.4 |
| 2024/25 | 51.2 |
| 2025/26 | 50.9 |
| 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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