Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #8 in Southend-on-Sea public Top 23% UK

Belfairs Academy

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

personMrs Beverley Williams

corporate_fareLEGRA ACADEMY TRUST

location_onLeigh-on-Sea, SS9 3TG

language Visit Website phone 1702509000

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,631

trending_up

Attainment 8

45.5

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GCSE Rank

#8 in Southend-on-Sea

#1,641 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Belfairs Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Leigh-on-Sea, serving ages 11-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

Belfairs Academy is an academy converter in Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of LEGRA ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,606 pupils on roll, of whom 21% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.5, placing the school #8 in Southend-on-Sea and #1,641 of 3,216 nationally. 44.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 14.3% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 16 A-level subjects. 20.6% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 4.5% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.43 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

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

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.7× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 19.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.1 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

45.5

Grade 5+ E&M

44.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)14.3%

Entering EBacc46.50%

EBacc APS4.06

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.31

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41.30%

EBacc APS3.8

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.39

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc56%

EBacc APS3.84

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

51.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc52%

EBacc APS4.58

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc47%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.04

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc43%

EBacc APS3.82

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.08

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc25%

EBacc APS3.82

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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

93%

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

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

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

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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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

-0.43

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.5%

Achieving A*–A4.5%

Achieving A*–B20.6%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate94.0%

A-level subjects offered16

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.39

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate98.90%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate94.70%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate90.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

14 May 2024

Inspection Report

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17 May 2023

Inspection Report

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24 November 2016

Inspection Report

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22 May 2013

Inspection Report

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10 August 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-05-14

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2016-11-24

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-05-22

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2010-06-28

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

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

0.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.7%(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 1,606 pupils. During this period, there were 12 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.7%, 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)	1,606	12	0.7%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,615	25	1.5%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,615	32	2.0%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,632	32	2.0%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,627	22	1.4%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,640	66	4.0%	6.6%	3
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,631	76	4.7%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,635	28	1.7%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,569	24	1.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,587	53	3.3%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,575	23	1.5%	4.4%	2
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,478	15	1.0%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,497	5	0.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,497	13	0.9%	3.9%	2
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,404	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,404	11	0.8%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,411	11	0.8%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,346	7	0.5%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,361	9	0.7%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,362	6	0.4%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,296	10	0.8%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,297	13	1.0%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,303	29	2.2%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,319	21	1.6%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,325	13	1.0%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,331	59	4.4%	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 64 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 53 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 23 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 20 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 17 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 1 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.

77.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

78.0%Positive

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

22.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree18%

agree40%

disagree24%

strongly disagree13%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree14%

agree34%

disagree35%

strongly disagree13%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree25%

agree23%

disagree18%

strongly disagree12%

don't know2%

not applicable20%

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

yes27%

no73%

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

strongly agree30%

agree26%

disagree22%

strongly disagree15%

dont know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree25%

agree42%

disagree20%

strongly disagree6%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree24%

agree48%

disagree21%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree21%

agree45%

disagree25%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree34%

agree54%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree40%

agree51%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree21%

agree36%

disagree21%

strongly disagree8%

don't know14%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes66%

no34%

Top Secondary Schools in Southend-on-Sea

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Westcliff High School for Boys Academy

Outstanding

location_on Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 0BP

emoji_events #1 in LA

Westcliff High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 0BS

emoji_events #2 in LA

Southend High School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4UZ

emoji_events #3 in LA

Southend High School for Boys

Outstanding

location_on Southend-on-Sea, SS0 0RG

emoji_events #4 in LA

St Bernard's High School

Good

location_on Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7JS

emoji_events #5 in LA

The Eastwood Academy

Outstanding

location_on Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 5UU

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Southend-on-Sea 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 Southend-on-Sea

Westcliff High School for Boys Academy

Westcliff High School for Girls

Southend High School for Girls

Southend High School for Boys

St Bernard's High School

The Eastwood Academy