Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up High Demand emoji_events #9 in Essex public Top 6% UK

Becket Keys Church of England Free School

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

personMr Andy Scott-Evans

corporate_fareRUSSELL EDUCATION TRUST

location_onBrentwood, CM15 9DA

language Visit Website phone 1277286600

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2025

groups

Students

1,053

trending_up

Attainment 8

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#10 in Essex

#407 of 3,216 nationally

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Becket Keys Church of England Free School is a Free schools secondary school in Brentwood, serving ages 11-19. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Highly competitive: 1.5× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

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School Summary

Becket Keys Church of England Free School is a free schools in Brentwood, Essex, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of RUSSELL EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 1,140 pupils on roll, of whom 11% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 56, placing the school #10 in Essex and #407 of 3,216 nationally. 68.60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 28.6% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 24 A-level subjects. 55.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 20.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.08 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2025. 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.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.5× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.7 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

Grade 5+ E&M

68.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)28.6%

Entering EBacc87.40%

EBacc APS5.37

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.42

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

54.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc85.60%

EBacc APS5.19

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.48

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc58%

EBacc APS5.19

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.35

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc54%

EBacc APS5.13

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.34

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

56.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc52%

EBacc APS5.14

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.25

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

53.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc45%

EBacc APS4.83

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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

97%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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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

-0.08

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

146

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*5.7%

Achieving A*–A20.1%

Achieving A*–B55.8%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate97.3%

A-level subjects offered24

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.2

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

120

Retention rate97.50%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

103

Retention rate97.10%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

116

Retention rate96.6%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

25 February 2025

Inspection Report

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07 May 2014

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2025-02-25

S5 Inspection 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

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2014-05-07

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

1.4%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.2%(14 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 1,140 pupils. During this period, there were 16 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.4%, 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)	1,140	16	1.4%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,142	23	2.0%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,103	7	0.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,107	3	0.3%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,111	2	0.2%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,047	17	1.6%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,053	13	1.2%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,063	14	1.3%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,040	6	0.6%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,047	13	1.2%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,053	27	2.6%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,061	13	1.2%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,067	2	0.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,067	10	0.9%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,010	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,010	10	1.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,011	19	1.9%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	941	18	1.9%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	943	16	1.7%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	951	20	2.1%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	864	18	2.1%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	868	17	2.0%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	870	4	0.5%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	740	25	3.4%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	746	33	4.4%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	745	16	2.1%	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.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 43 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 38 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 21 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 17 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 15 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 6 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Visual 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.

91.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

95.0%Positive

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

16.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree48%

agree40%

disagree9%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree47%

agree44%

disagree8%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree35%

agree25%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

not applicable26%

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 agree24%

agree48%

disagree12%

strongly disagree12%

dont know4%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree63%

agree32%

disagree3%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree51%

agree41%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree41%

agree51%

disagree8%

strongly disagree1%

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

strongly agree32%

agree48%

disagree15%

strongly disagree4%

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

strongly agree47%

agree49%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree34%

agree47%

disagree9%

strongly disagree3%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes92%

no8%

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

Faith Priority (Church of England)

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 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