E-Act Bourne End Academy

About E-Act Bourne End Academy

E-Act Bourne End Academy is a mixed state secondary in Buckinghamshire with 748 pupils on roll against a capacity of 830, meaning it is not yet full but is clearly in demand. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 342 applications for 143 places, with 98 of those as first preferences, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.39. That level of competition is notable given the school’s demographic profile: 30.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average of around 23% and significantly higher than the Buckinghamshire average, which tends to sit in the low teens due to the county’s selective grammar system. The school operates as a non-selective comprehensive in a local authority dominated by grammar schools, which helps explain both its intake mix and the strong demand from families seeking a local option outside the 11-plus route. Headteacher Natalie King leads a school that has grown its reputation since its last full inspection.

Academically, the school’s Progress 8 score of -0.18 is classified as ‘Average’ nationally, but sits well below the Buckinghamshire local authority average of +0.25, reflecting the challenge of competing with selective schools in the same area. Attainment 8 stands at 37.5, and 49% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths, with 25.9% hitting the higher grade 5+ threshold. EBacc entry is low at 13.3%, and only 5.6% achieved the full EBacc at grade 5 or above. In the most recent Ofsted inspection in 2022, the school was rated Good overall, with leadership and management judged Outstanding. This represents a significant improvement from the previous inspection in 2016, when it was rated Requires Improvement. At sixth form, the picture is more mixed: the value added score of -0.75 is classed as ‘Well below average’, with an average point score per entry of 14.59, equivalent to an E+ grade.

The school offers a strong range of facilities including a swimming pool, theatre, astro turf, tennis courts, and a dedicated sixth form centre, alongside clubs such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Model UN, and Young Enterprise. Sports provision includes rowing, gymnastics, and netball. SEND support is extensive, with provisions for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, social and emotional mental health, and a resourced provision. This makes the school a practical choice for families in the Wycombe area who want a non-selective comprehensive with good facilities and a clear track record of improvement, particularly those whose children may benefit from the school’s inclusive SEND offer. The oversubscription data suggests it is increasingly a first-choice option for local families, despite the competitive grammar school landscape.

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