The Deanes
98%
Capacity
587
Pupils
4.7x
Demand
About The Deanes
The Deanes is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Castle Point community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 587 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (98% of 600 places).
Ofsted has rated The Deanes "Good", the school is led by headteacher Desi McKeown, it falls under Essex local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.71 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 35.3. Additionally, ranked 2854th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 2nd out of 2 in Castle Point.
The Deanes is a popular choice with families — it received 532 applications for 114 places, making it 4.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 97 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 10 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 7 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Deanes include Music Rooms, Science Labs, Theatre, Playing Fields, Sports Hall, Astro Turf, Sixth Form Centre, ICT Suite, Swimming Pool, Tennis Courts, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Hockey, Swimming, Basketball, Cricket and 4 more, as well as clubs including Model UN, Orchestra, Young Enterprise, Gardening and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 24.7%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Castle Point, The Deanes is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
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.
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.
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.
