Classpot

The Basildon Lower Academy

Basildon, SS14 1UXSecondaryAges 11–14MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Mar 2023
Progress 8
No data
Competition
0.4×
Not oversubscribed
108 1st-choice / 252 places
Ranking
Not ranked

About The Basildon Lower Academy

The Basildon Lower Academy sits within Essex, a local authority that includes 86 state secondary schools, seven of which hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating. The school itself is a mixed, non-religious secondary for pupils aged 11 to 14, and it does not have a sixth form. Among its highest-performing local peers are King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford, Colchester Royal Grammar School, and Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School — all selective or faith-based schools with strong academic reputations. The Basildon Lower Academy, by contrast, serves a very different demographic: nearly half of its 909 pupils (48.6%) are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. The school is not oversubscribed for the 2025/26 intake, receiving 221 applications for 252 places, with 108 first-preference offers. This suggests a school that is accessible and open to local families, but one that faces significant challenges in a competitive local landscape.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 14 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressTimberlog Close, Basildon, Basildon, SS14 1UX
HeadteacherRebecca Rees
Local AuthorityEssex
Number of Pupils909
Free School Meals (FSM)48.6%
School Capacity909 / 1,350 (67% full)

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

29 Mar 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement

Source: Ofsted, 18 Jul 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

10
Swimming PoolICT SuitePlaying FieldsDining HallSports HallScience LabsSixth Form CentreGymnasiumMusic RoomsChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

15

Sports

NetballDanceRugbyMartial ArtsRoundersTennisHockeySwimmingBadmintonCross Country

Clubs & Activities

Science ClubGardeningArt ClubEco ClubBook Club

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere LearningOther

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Basildon Lower Academy

The Basildon Lower 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.