Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #14 in Newham public Top 18% UK

School 21

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

personMr Moray Dickson

corporate_fareBIG EDUCATION TRUST

location_onStratford, E15 4RZ

language Visit Website phone 2082622121

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2025

groups

Students

1,197

trending_up

Attainment 8

47.8

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#13 in Newham

#1,241 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

School 21 is a Free schools secondary school in Stratford, serving ages 4-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

School 21 is a free schools in Stratford, Newham, admitting pupils aged 4-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of BIG EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 1,098 pupils on roll, of whom 48% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 47.8, placing the school #13 in Newham and #1,241 of 3,216 nationally. 47.90% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 23.2% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

In 2025, 65% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths combined, with 9% achieving the higher standard. The school ranks #57 of 20 primaries in Newham and #4,891 of 3,216 nationally.

The sixth form offers 17 A-level subjects. 41.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 13.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.48 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2025. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

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

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.4:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 3.6 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

47.8

Grade 5+ E&M

47.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)23.2%

Entering EBacc15.50%

EBacc APS4.16

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31.00%

EBacc APS4.08

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.33

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc46%

EBacc APS4.05

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.02

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59%

EBacc APS4.73

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS4.09

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.47

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc73%

EBacc APS4.78

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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

88%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

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

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

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

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships0%

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

-0.48

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

133

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.3%

Achieving A*–A13.1%

Achieving A*–B41.0%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate91.7%

A-level subjects offered17

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.27

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

149

Retention rate94.00%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

160

Retention rate95.60%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

123

Retention rate93.5%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

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Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

65%

LA 74%

Reading81% LA 81%

Writing74% LA 80%

Maths79% LA 82%

Read SS

106

Maths SS

104

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

64%

LA 73%England 61%

Reading75% LA 81% · Eng 74%

Writing75% LA 80% · Eng 72%

Maths75% LA 83% · Eng 73%

Read SS

105

Maths SS

104

GPS SS

107

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

47%

LA 69%England 60%

Reading61% LA 78% · Eng 73%

Writing70% LA 78% · Eng 71%

Maths61% LA 81% · Eng 73%

Read SS

104

Maths SS

101

GPS SS

103

Progress (0 = national avg)

-1.3

Read

LA 0.7

-2.8 to 0.2

-0.4

Write

LA 1.4

-1.8 to 1.0

-2.6

Maths

LA 2.1

-4.0 to -1.2

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

54%

LA 74%England 65%

Reading61% LA 79% · Eng 73%

Writing81% LA 83% · Eng 78%

Maths72% LA 85% · Eng 79%

Read SS

102

Maths SS

104

GPS SS

105

Progress (0 = national avg)

-2.0

Read

LA 1.8

-3.5 to -0.6

-1.2

Write

LA 2.0

-2.5 to 0.1

-0.9

Maths

LA 2.6

-2.2 to 0.3

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 76%

Reading-% LA 82%

Writing-% LA 85%

Maths-% LA 86%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

LA 1.8

Write

LA 2.1

Maths

LA 3.5

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

29 April 2025

Inspection Report

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13 March 2023

Inspection Report

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29 March 2022

Inspection Report

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17 June 2014

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2025-04-29

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Not Judged

info

Why no overall grade?

From autumn 2024, Ofsted stopped issuing a single headline grade (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate). Instead, each inspection area is graded individually. This follows a major review after the death of headteacher Ruth Perry in 2023. The overall effectiveness field is left as "Not judged" in the published data.

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2023-03-13

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2014-06-17

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

4.0%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.2%(35 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 1,098 pupils. During this period, there were 44 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.0%, 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)	1,098	44	4.0%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,121	35	3.1%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,116	40	3.6%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,118	36	3.2%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,136	91	8.0%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,186	20	1.7%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,197	42	3.5%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,203	22	1.8%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,216	20	1.6%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,236	23	1.9%	4.9%	2
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,258	17	1.4%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,169	16	1.4%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,186	3	0.3%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,201	6	0.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,206	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,206	30	2.5%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,219	23	1.9%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,199	37	3.1%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,211	34	2.8%	3.8%	2
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,221	22	1.8%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	940	27	2.9%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	927	14	1.5%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	929	17	1.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	724	8	1.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	733	18	2.5%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	730	42	5.8%	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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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.

Speech, Language & Communication 32 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 24 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 13 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 4 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 2 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 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.

72.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

76.0%Positive

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

24.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree33%

agree25%

disagree19%

strongly disagree18%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree37%

agree32%

disagree16%

strongly disagree14%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree28%

agree7%

disagree28%

strongly disagree18%

don't know2%

not applicable18%

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

yes23%

no77%

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

strongly agree8%

agree31%

disagree31%

strongly disagree31%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree30%

agree35%

disagree14%

strongly disagree16%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree33%

agree37%

disagree16%

strongly disagree11%

don't know4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree35%

agree32%

disagree25%

strongly disagree9%

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

strongly agree33%

agree35%

disagree21%

strongly disagree7%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree40%

agree46%

disagree11%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree42%

agree25%

disagree21%

strongly disagree9%

don't know4%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes67%

no33%

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Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Outstanding

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Outstanding

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Inadequate

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Sarah Bonnell School

Good

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Langdon Academy

Good

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Primary Admission Trends

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 Newham

Brampton Manor Academy

Forest Gate Community School

Harris Science Academy East London

Sarah Bonnell School

Langdon Academy

St Angela's Ursuline School