Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Places Available emoji_events #5 in Barking and Dagenham public Top 15% UK

Barking Abbey School, A Specialist Sports and Humanities College

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Tony Roe

location_onBarking, IG11 9AG

language Visit Website phone 2039677030

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

2,325

trending_up

Attainment 8

49.7

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GCSE Rank

#7 in Barking and Dagenham

#971 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Barking Abbey School, A Specialist Sports and Humanities College is a Community school secondary school in Barking, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

Barking Abbey School, A Specialist Sports and Humanities College is a community school in Barking, Barking and Dagenham, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 2,336 pupils on roll, of whom 31% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.7, placing the school #7 in Barking and Dagenham and #971 of 3,216 nationally. 50.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 22.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 19 A-level subjects. 63.7% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 31.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.32 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.0:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.8 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

49.7

Grade 5+ E&M

50.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)22.3%

Entering EBacc38.20%

EBacc APS4.31

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.02

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32.60%

EBacc APS4.16

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.11

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc33%

EBacc APS4.23

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.23

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc52%

EBacc APS4.58

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc46%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.31

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc38%

EBacc APS4.24

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.34

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31%

EBacc APS4.17

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)93%

Apprenticeships1%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

EmploymentSP%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.32

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils do significantly better than expected at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

161

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*8.0%

Achieving A*–A31.8%

Achieving A*–B63.7%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate99.4%

A-level subjects offered19

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.19

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

181

Retention rate95.60%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

173

Retention rate95.40%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

218

Retention rate98.6%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

31 January 2024

Inspection Report

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06 December 2022

Inspection Report

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29 March 2017

Inspection Report

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26 September 2012

Inspection Report

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01 December 2009

Inspection Report

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24 September 2008

Inspection Report

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13 October 2003

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-01-31

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2017-03-29

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2012-09-26

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2008-09-24

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

2.6%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.1%(49 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 2,336 pupils. During this period, there were 60 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.6%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	2,336	60	2.6%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	2,333	72	3.1%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	2,324	72	3.1%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	2,323	79	3.4%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	2,337	60	2.6%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	2,320	65	2.8%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	2,325	84	3.6%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	2,331	72	3.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	2,310	95	4.1%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	2,316	58	2.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	2,319	57	2.5%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	2,200	25	1.1%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	2,198	5	0.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	2,210	38	1.7%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	2,075	1	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	2,075	11	0.5%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	2,079	18	0.9%	4.2%	3
2018/19 (Summer term)	2,113	18	0.9%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	2,125	17	0.8%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	2,133	10	0.5%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	2,106	12	0.6%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	2,116	6	0.3%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	2,123	4	0.2%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,965	30	1.5%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,972	40	2.0%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,959	34	1.7%	3.1%	1

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 83 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 70 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 63 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 26 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 18 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

86.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

87.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

21.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree39%

agree42%

disagree10%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree32%

agree40%

disagree16%

strongly disagree9%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree24%

agree26%

disagree10%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

not applicable31%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes16%

no84%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree31%

agree31%

disagree21%

strongly disagree12%

dont know5%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree49%

agree34%

disagree9%

strongly disagree3%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree42%

agree42%

disagree10%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree39%

agree43%

disagree11%

strongly disagree6%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree41%

agree48%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree47%

agree40%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree33%

agree39%

disagree12%

strongly disagree7%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes82%

no18%

Top Secondary Schools in Barking and Dagenham

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

All Saints Catholic School and Technology College

Outstanding

location_on Dagenham, RM8 1JT

emoji_events #1 in LA

Goresbrook School

Good

location_on Dagenham, RM9 6XW

emoji_events #2 in LA

Riverside School

Outstanding

location_on Barking, IG11 0FU

emoji_events #3 in LA

The Sydney Russell School

Good

location_on Dagenham, RM9 5QT

emoji_events #4 in LA

Robert Clack School

Good

location_on Dagenham, RM8 1JU

emoji_events #6 in LA

Jo Richardson Community School

Outstanding

location_on Dagenham, RM9 4UN

emoji_events #7 in LA

View all schools in Barking and Dagenham arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Barking and Dagenham

All Saints Catholic School and Technology College

Goresbrook School

Riverside School

The Sydney Russell School

Robert Clack School

Jo Richardson Community School