The Sydney Russell School
99%
Capacity
2,640
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About The Sydney Russell School
The Sydney Russell School is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Barking and Dagenham community, welcoming children from age 4 to 18. The school has 2,640 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 2,670 places).
Ofsted has rated The Sydney Russell School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Clare Cross, it falls under Barking and Dagenham local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.72 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 53.4. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B-. Additionally, placing it in the top 10% nationally. Additionally, ranked 267th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 3rd out of 13 in Barking and Dagenham.
The Sydney Russell School is a popular choice with families — it received 1,067 applications for 359 places, making it 3.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 321 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 11 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 8 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at The Sydney Russell School include Science Labs, Sports Hall, Library, Theatre, Gymnasium, Astro Turf, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Hockey, Netball, Swimming, Football and 6 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Book Club, Newspaper, Gardening and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 27.3%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Barking and Dagenham, The Sydney Russell School is one of the options available in the London 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 | 4 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham, Barking and Dagenham, RM9 5QT |
| Headteacher | Clare Cross |
| Local Authority | Barking and Dagenham |
| Number of Pupils | 2,640 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 27.3% |
| School Capacity | 2,640 / 2,670 (99% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Sept 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 18 Jan 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.72)
267th of 3,141
Nationally
101st of 487
In London
3rd of 13
In Barking and Dagenham
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more 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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
37.5
'22/23
38.3
'23/24
37.7
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed359
1,067
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
321 families put this school as their 1st choice (30% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Sydney Russell School
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
Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham
Barking and Dagenham, RM9 5QT
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at The Sydney Russell School!
Write a Review