Classpot

Belfairs Academy

Southend-on-Sea, SS9 3TGSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
May 2024
Progress 8
-0.31
Below average
−20+2
Competition
0.5×
Not oversubscribed
156 1st-choice / 291 places
Ranking
#2,260
of 3,141 nationally

About Belfairs Academy

Belfairs Academy is a heavily oversubscribed secondary school in Southend-on-Sea, with 690 applications for 291 places in the 2025/26 admissions round — an oversubscription ratio of 2.37. That means more than two families applied for every available spot, and 156 of those offers went to first-preference applicants. Despite this clear demand from local parents, the school does not publish a Parent View recommendation percentage, so we can't say exactly how satisfied current families are. What we do know is that the school's most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2024, rated it Requires Improvement overall, a downgrade from its previous Good rating. The inspection found that while behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and sixth-form provision are all Good, the quality of education and leadership and management both require improvement. The school is led by headteacher Beverley Williams and serves 1,606 pupils, which is above its stated capacity of 1,440.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressHighlands Boulevard, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, SS9 3TG
HeadteacherBeverley Williams
Local AuthoritySouthend-on-Sea
Number of Pupils1,606
Free School Meals (FSM)20.3%
School Capacity1,606 / 1,440 (112% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

14 May 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement
Sixth Form Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 17 Oct 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

8
LibraryScience LabsMusic RoomsSports HallGymnasiumSwimming PoolAstro TurfSixth Form Centre

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

16

Sports

AthleticsFootballRowingMartial ArtsSwimmingRugby

Clubs & Activities

Young EnterpriseDramaChoirEco ClubGardeningOrchestraDuke of EdinburghArt ClubDebateModel United Nations

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingPhysicalLearning DifficultyMulti-SensoryOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Belfairs Academy

Belfairs Academy has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.