Secondary school

The Ongar Academy

  • Free School
  • ages 11–18
  • Mixed
  • Essex
  • CM5 0AN
  • Sixth form
Ofsted Good · inspected May 2018

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Results · 2024/25

Ranked 2,895 of 3,280 secondaries in England · top 89%

Top % in England, by year
2021/22: top 47%47%2022/23: top 55%2023/24: top 83%2024/25: top 89%

Against East of EnglandArrows: East of England rank change since 2021/22

Attainment 837.4 · East of England 45.91/10 Well below East of England−42.4 pts
Grade 5+ English and maths25.9% · East of England 44.9%1/10 Well below East of England−42.3 pts
EBacc point score3.23 · East of England 4.012/10 Well below East of England−33 pts
Progress 8 · 2023/24-0.57 · East of England −0.022/10 Well below East of England
A level points per entry · 2022/2320.72 · East of England 32.28Small cohort: 29 pupils in 2022/23 (under 30)
Show exam results by year
Attainment 8
2021/22: 49 · 113 pupils · East of England 48.82022/23: 45 · 112 pupils · East of England 46.22023/24: 38.9 · 111 pupils · East of England 45.62024/25: 37.4 · 112 pupils · East of England 45.854937.4
Grade 5+ English and maths
2021/22: 49% · 113 pupils · East of England 49%2022/23: 39% · 112 pupils · East of England 43%2023/24: 32.4% · 111 pupils · East of England 43.9%2024/25: 25.9% · 112 pupils · East of England 44.9%49%25.9%
A level points per entry
2021/22: 26.27 · 28 pupils · East of England 36.152022/23: 20.72 · 29 pupils · East of England 32.2826.2720.72

Not published 2023/24, 2024/25

Getting in · 2026

First-choice families who got in100.0%
90 of 90 who put it first2016 · 89.7%2026 · 100.0%
By preference
ChoiceAppliedOffered
1st9090
2nd419
3rd222

Last distance offered: London only

Inspections · 2018–2023

  1. 2018Good
  2. 2023Remains Good

4 strong areas

  • Outcomes for pupils
  • Effectiveness of leadership and management
  • Personal development, behaviour and welfare
  • Quality of teaching, learning and assessment

0 weak areas

4 areas graded

Pupils · 2024/25

On roll · Jan 2026467
Free school meals (past 6 years)30.3%
First language not English5.3%
SEN support10.4%
EHC plan4.1%
Absence (sessions missed)12.2%
Persistently absent pupils34.2%

Girls 50.1%Boys 49.9%

58.4% full · 800 places · 29 in sixth form (2022/23)

Parent View

Earlier survey (before Nov 2025) · as at 2 Sep 2024 · 95 responses (17.2% of pupils)

  • My child is happy at this school81% agree
  • My child feels safe at this school77.9% agree
  • The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved74.7% agree
  • My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively · 61% not applicable40.5% agree
  • The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year57.9% agree
  • When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly · 18.9% not applicable67.5% agree
  • My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed50% agree
  • The school has high expectations for my child65.3% agree
  • My child does well at this school67.4% agree
  • The school lets me know how my child is doing69.5% agree
  • There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school61.1% agree
  • My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school87.4% agree
  • The school supports my child's wider personal development55.8% agree
  • I would recommend this school to another parent70.5% yes

Workforce · 2025/26

Pupils per teacher13.7
Pupils per adult10.9
  • Classroom teachers 26.6
  • Leadership 7.6
  • Teaching assistants 6.8
  • Other support 15.9

Teachers 34.2 FTE · Whole workforce 56.8 · 64 people

Financials · 2024/25

Income per pupil£9,039
Spend per pupil£8,200
Staff spend per pupil£6,056
Reserve per pupil£0
  • £0revenue reserve
  • +£435,000in-year balance

Grants £8,299 · self-generated £740 · premises £449 per pupil

Multi-academy trust: BRIDGE ACADEMY TRUST (11 academies) · trust reserve £6,797,000 · Reserves in a multi-academy trust belong to the trust; this academy's figures include the share of central costs the trust gives it

Destinations · 2023/24 leavers

After Year 11

111 students, followed through 2024/25 · Provisional

  • Sustained91%
  • Education83.8%
  • Apprenticeship5.4%
  • Employment1.8%
  • Not sustained4.5%
  • Unknown4.5%