The Appleton School
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 20 November 2024
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 39.6 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 32% | 43% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 58% | 64% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 49% | 59% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Essex | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 39% | 39% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Based on 286 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 1,561
- Capacity
- 1,500
- Girls / boys
- 50% / 50%
- Free school meals
- 16%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 86.2
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 1.8
- Leadership (FTE)
- 9.6
- Part-time teachers
- 21%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
58%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
228 responses up to 1 September 2025 · 15% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
72% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
80% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
55% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
48% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
41% agree
Questions about The Appleton School
What is The Appleton School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted last inspected The Appleton School on 20 November 2024 and did not give an overall grade, as single-word grades ended in September 2024.
How do I apply for a place at The Appleton School?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if The Appleton School is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day.
Does living near The Appleton School guarantee a place?
No. Distance only counts when The Appleton School has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at The Appleton School?
The Appleton School had 1,561 pupils aged 11 to 19 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 1,500. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.
