Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #56 in Essex public Top 36% UK

The Appleton School

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

personHead not listed

corporate_fareCOMPASS EDUCATION TRUST LTD

location_onBenfleet, SS7 5RN

language Visit Website phone 1268794215

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2019

groups

Students

1,607

trending_up

Attainment 8

39.6

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#58 in Essex

#2,599 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Appleton School is a Academy converter secondary school in Benfleet, serving ages 11-19. Rated Good by Ofsted.

article

School Summary

The Appleton School is an academy converter in Benfleet, Essex, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of COMPASS EDUCATION TRUST LTD. The school has approximately 1,561 pupils on roll, of whom 20% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 39.6, placing the school #58 in Essex and #2,599 of 3,216 nationally. 31.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 9.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 17 A-level subjects. 57.4% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 21.6% at A*–A. A-level value added: 0.06 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2019. The school's current overall rating is Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 19.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 7.4 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

39.6

Grade 5+ E&M

31.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)9.0%

Entering EBacc38.80%

EBacc APS3.45

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.63

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc49.60%

EBacc APS3.74

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.28

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.0

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44%

EBacc APS4.04

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.88

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45%

EBacc APS3.96

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc50%

EBacc APS4.19

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19%

EBacc APS3.82

explore

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)87%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

workspace_premium

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

+0.06

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*6.8%

Achieving A*–A21.6%

Achieving A*–B57.4%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate98.4%

A-level subjects offered17

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.09

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate91.80%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate98.10%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate98.7%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

19 November 2024

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

12 February 2019

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

26 September 2017

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

09 July 2013

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

14 February 2012

Inspection Report

picture_as_pdf Download PDF

Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2019-02-12

Exempt School Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2017-09-26

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-07-09

None Legacy

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

7.2%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.5%(70 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,561 pupils. During this period, there were 113 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 7.2%, 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)	1,561	113	7.2%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,580	119	7.5%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,592	82	5.2%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,602	73	4.6%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,603	86	5.4%	8.2%	3
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,601	91	5.7%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,607	98	6.1%	6.4%	3
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,616	89	5.5%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,596	43	2.7%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,598	40	2.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,600	15	0.9%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,602	19	1.2%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,597	1	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,607	10	0.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,606	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,606	5	0.3%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,616	10	0.6%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,575	4	0.3%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,579	17	1.1%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,580	5	0.3%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,495	5	0.3%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,501	4	0.3%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,505	5	0.3%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,459	2	0.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,464	1	0.1%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,468	2	0.1%	3.1%	0

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

accessibility_new

psychology_alt

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 62 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 58 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 50 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 34 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 31 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

72.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

80.0%Positive

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

19.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree14%

agree41%

disagree27%

strongly disagree13%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree12%

agree29%

disagree34%

strongly disagree20%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree17%

agree29%

disagree22%

strongly disagree11%

don't know3%

not applicable17%

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

yes21%

no79%

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

strongly agree20%

agree24%

disagree27%

strongly disagree22%

dont know6%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree27%

agree39%

disagree17%

strongly disagree7%

don't know10%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree24%

agree38%

disagree22%

strongly disagree9%

don't know6%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree22%

agree38%

disagree26%

strongly disagree11%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree26%

agree53%

disagree14%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree40%

agree52%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree20%

agree33%

disagree23%

strongly disagree12%

don't know13%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes58%

no42%

Top Secondary Schools in Essex

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Outstanding

location_on Chelmsford, CM1 3SX

emoji_events #1 in LA

Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Chelmsford, CM1 1RW

emoji_events #2 in LA

Colchester Royal Grammar School

Inadequate

location_on Colchester, CO3 3ND

emoji_events #3 in LA

Colchester County High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Colchester, CO3 3US

emoji_events #4 in LA

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Good

location_on Brentwood, CM14 4EX

emoji_events #5 in LA

Saffron Walden County High School

Outstanding

location_on Saffron Walden, CB11 4UH

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Essex 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.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Essex

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Colchester Royal Grammar School

Colchester County High School for Girls

Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School

Saffron Walden County High School