The Deanes
98%
Capacity
587
Pupils
4.7x
Demand
About The Deanes
Parents considering The Deanes will find a school that is clearly in demand locally. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 532 applications for just 114 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 4.67, meaning nearly five families applied for every available spot. Of those, 95 first-preference offers were made from 97 first-preference applications, indicating that almost all families who put it top of their list secured a place. This level of competition suggests a strong reputation among Castle Point families. The school is a mixed, non-denominational secondary for ages 11 to 16, with no sixth form, and currently has 587 pupils against a capacity of 600. Just under a quarter of students (24.7%) are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and reflects the school's inclusive intake.
Academically, the picture is more mixed. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, The Deanes was rated Good overall, with all five key areas — including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership — also judged Good. This is a notable improvement from its previous inspection in 2019, when it was rated Requires Improvement. However, the school's Progress 8 score for 2023/24 is -0.71, which is well below average nationally and significantly below the Essex local authority average of -0.18. The Attainment 8 score sits at 35.3, and just 18.6% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. Only 3.1% of students entered the EBacc, and none achieved it. Within Castle Point, the school ranks second out of two schools, and nationally it sits in the bottom 10% by Progress 8.
The Deanes offers a solid range of facilities, including a swimming pool, theatre, sports hall, astro turf, and music rooms, plus clubs such as Model UN, orchestra, and gardening. Its SEND provisions are extensive, covering specific learning difficulties, autism, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities, which will appeal to families whose children require additional support. The school is heavily oversubscribed, so families need to be prepared to apply early and list it as a first preference to have a realistic chance. Given its Progress 8 outcomes, it may suit families who prioritise a supportive, inclusive environment and strong pastoral care over top-tier academic results, particularly those whose children benefit from the school's broad SEND offer.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Daws Heath Road, Benfleet, Castle Point, SS7 2TD |
| Headteacher | Desi McKeown |
| Local Authority | Essex |
| Number of Pupils | 587 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 24.7% |
| School Capacity | 587 / 600 (98% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Sept 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 8 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.71)
2854th of 3,141
Nationally
322nd of 350
In East of England
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/231%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 88 pupils).
- FE college78%
- Not sustained13%
- Employment5%
- Apprenticeship3%
- School sixth form (stay)1%
88% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed114
532
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
97 families put this school as their 1st choice (18% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British82.1%
- Mixed3.9%
- White (other)1.5%
- Asian0.8%
- Black0.5%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
5
Total schools
4
Oversubscribed
2
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Deanes
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Daws Heath Road, Benfleet
Castle Point, SS7 2TD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
