Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #27 in Essex public Top 20% UK

St Mark's West Essex Catholic School

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

personMr John Taylor

corporate_fareST. MARK'S WEST ESSEX CATHOLIC SCHOOL

location_onHarlow, CM18 6AA

language Visit Website phone 1279421267

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,044

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.3

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GCSE Rank

#29 in Essex

#1,496 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

St Mark's West Essex Catholic School is a Academy converter secondary school in Harlow, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.0×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

St Mark's West Essex Catholic School is an academy converter in Harlow, Essex, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of ST. MARK'S WEST ESSEX CATHOLIC SCHOOL. The school has approximately 1,082 pupils on roll, of whom 22% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.3, placing the school #29 in Essex and #1,496 of 3,216 nationally. 38.80% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 15.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 23 A-level subjects. 24.7% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 4.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.23 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.0× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.9 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

46.3

Grade 5+ E&M

38.80%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)15.8%

Entering EBacc72.90%

EBacc APS4.32

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.04

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc71.50%

EBacc APS4.23

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc73%

EBacc APS4.50

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.1

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc63%

EBacc APS4.41

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc64%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc52%

EBacc APS4.03

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.46

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc67%

EBacc APS4.67

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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

96%

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

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships2%

Employment0%

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

-0.23

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*0.4%

Achieving A*–A4.8%

Achieving A*–B24.7%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate95.6%

A-level subjects offered23

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.15

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate89.70%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate97.60%

2022

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate96.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

22 February 2023

Inspection Report

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05 October 2017

Inspection Report

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03 July 2013

Inspection Report

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24 October 2012

Inspection Report

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07 March 2012

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-02-22

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-10-05

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-07-03

Notice to Improve S5 ReInspection Historic Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2012-03-07

None EIF

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

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

1.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.1%(12 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 1,082 pupils. During this period, there were 12 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.1%, 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)	1,082	12	1.1%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,088	50	4.6%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,062	34	3.2%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,067	29	2.7%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,052	34	3.2%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,049	35	3.3%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,044	33	3.2%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,058	42	4.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,071	27	2.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,072	38	3.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,079	35	3.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,040	26	2.5%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,042	6	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,042	31	3.0%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,036	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,036	25	2.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,039	40	3.8%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	985	32	3.2%	3.1%	3
2018/19 (Spring term)	983	51	5.2%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	987	39	4.0%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	962	27	2.8%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	962	16	1.7%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	963	21	2.2%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	968	20	2.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	976	14	1.4%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	991	19	1.9%	3.1%	0

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 35 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 32 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 18 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 13 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 7 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 5 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 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.

86.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

89.0%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 agree41%

agree41%

disagree10%

strongly disagree3%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree27%

agree33%

disagree25%

strongly disagree11%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree33%

agree25%

disagree6%

strongly disagree10%

don't know6%

not applicable19%

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.

strongly agree56%

agree29%

disagree6%

strongly disagree5%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree44%

agree35%

disagree14%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree38%

agree24%

disagree27%

strongly disagree10%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree43%

agree43%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree59%

agree30%

disagree2%

strongly disagree3%

don't know6%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree37%

agree30%

disagree10%

strongly disagree10%

don't know14%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes86%

no14%

Top Secondary Schools in Essex

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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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

Faith Priority (Roman Catholic)

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