Brentwood County High School, Brentwood

Ofsted's report card from its 10 March 2026 inspection grades Brentwood County High School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "The school's approach to inclusion is a notable strength."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils' progress through the curriculum shows an improving picture."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders' work on attendance is informed and increasingly effective."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum across the school is well sequenced and taught by skilled staff."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders demonstrate a clear and accurate understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The personal development programme is well planned and reflects pupils' needs and the area they live in."

Post 16 provision - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate understanding of the strengths and priorities within the sixth form."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that pupils have the skills and support to develop their writing so that they may convey their observations, thinking and ideas with clarity and purpose. This includes help with handwriting for those who need it"; "Leaders should ensure that good practice is consistently embedded across all classrooms to further strengthen teaching and the curriculum"; "Leaders should ensure that all aspects of the personal development programme are carefully tailored to the needs of pupils".

In its own words: "At Brentwood County High School, we envision a dynamic learning community that fosters growth and prepares students for a rapidly evolving world. Our vision is rooted in our core values of The belief that children need the confluence of good character and great achievements to be successful."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Headteacher of Brentwood County High School. It is a privilege to lead such a dedicated team of staff and a talented group of pupils. As Headteacher my foremost responsibility is to ensure that every child receives the highest quality education in a school where they feel happy, safe, and valued."

Coming up: an open evening on Wednesday 18 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Brentwood County High School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.5 in Essex and 47 across England.

48% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Essex and 47% in England.

That is up from 43.2 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.38: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 41.3, against 48.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 7.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 26 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 120 families put Brentwood County High School as their first choice and 620 named it as one of their preferences, for 205 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Brentwood County High School are Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School (0.2 miles, Good, Attainment 8 63.2); Becket Keys Church of England Free School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 55.5); St Martin's School Brentwood (1.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.9); and Shenfield High School (1.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42.4).

Brentwood County High School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Brentwood County High School is one of 12 schools run by Osborne Co-Operative Academy Trust, an academy trust.

209 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Brentwood County High School (as of April 2026): 80% would recommend the school, 78% say their child is happy there and 65% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (83%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (65%).

Of the 167 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 43% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 143 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 46% went on to university or other higher education, 7% to apprenticeships and 25% into work. 7% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

11.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (59%), Black (15%) and Mixed (9%).

In 2026, 153 pupils (13.9%) received SEN support and 23 (2.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Brentwood Rail Station, about 630 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School (e-bound), 50 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Brentwood County High School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 216 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Essex (97), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Brentwood County High School issued 211 suspensions, 19.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Brentwood County High School are Hogarth Primary School (0.4 miles); St Thomas of Canterbury Church of England Aided Primary School, Brentwood (0.7 miles); Warley Primary School (0.8 miles); and Holly Trees Primary School (0.9 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.