Bower Park Academy

About Bower Park Academy

Bower Park Academy, a mixed secondary school in Havering for pupils aged 11 to 16, was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, a rating it has held consistently across both its last two graded inspections. The school’s most telling academic metric is its Progress 8 score of -0.54, which places it well below average nationally. This means that, on average, pupils achieved roughly half a grade less per subject than their peers with similar starting points. In the local authority, Bower Park ranks 17th out of 17 secondary schools on this measure, and sits in the bottom 50% nationally. The school’s Attainment 8 score stands at 41.4, and 44.5% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths (the basics 9-5 measure). Just 10% entered and achieved the English Baccalaureate at grade 5 or above.

Breaking down the Progress 8 figures, the school’s strongest subject area is English, with a score of -0.25, while maths sits at -0.37. The weakest areas are the EBacc subjects (-0.75) and open subjects (-0.68). For context, the local authority average Progress 8 score is 0.11, so Bower Park’s performance is significantly below the Havering norm. The school’s EBacc average point score is 3.7, and 61% of pupils entered the EBacc combination of subjects, though only 17% achieved it at grade 4 or above. In its 2023 Ofsted inspection, inspectors rated all five key areas as Good, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The school has a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals at 35.7%, well above the national average, which may partly contextualise its outcomes.

Bower Park Academy is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, receiving 336 applications for 178 places, with 101 first-preference offers made. The school has a dedicated SEN unit and provisions for a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health support. Facilities include science labs, an astro turf pitch, tennis courts, music rooms, and a chapel. Extracurricular options are varied, with clubs ranging from drama and choir to Model UN, Young Enterprise, and an eco club. Sports offered include netball, hockey, rugby, and basketball. There is no sixth form, so pupils will need to move on after Year 11. This school may suit families in Havering who value a Good-rated, inclusive environment with strong pastoral support and a broad range of activities, but who are realistic about academic outcomes that trail the local average.

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