Drapers' Academy, Romford

In its own words: "Drapers' Academy is committed to providing an excellent education that raises its pupils' and students' aspirations; shows them the wider world and readies them for it; maximises their academic attainment and prepares them to lead fulfilling lives. The Academy will play a central, positive role for families and the wider Harold Hill community."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am proud and privileged to be Principal of Drapers' Academy and am utterly committed to ensuring that we provide the best opportunities for all of our pupils, students and their families."

On phones, the school says: "Club Timetable 2026 Pupils Careers Advice The Oak Centre and SEND Support for Pupils Year 11 - EXAMS Key Stage 3 Remote Learning Clubs & Activities Prefects School Day Seneca Basic Equipment Prefect Application Form Phone Free School (Yondr)"

Coming up: an open evening on Tuesday 10 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at Drapers' Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 48.5 in Havering and 47 across England.

32% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 50% in Havering and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 38.8.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.13: 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 32.7, against 44.2 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.5 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 111 families put Drapers' Academy as their first choice and 270 named it as one of their preferences, for 201 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 Drapers' Academy are Redden Court School (1.6 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 51.7); The Campion School (1.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 56.8); The Royal Liberty School (2.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 55.8); and Bower Park Academy (2.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 39.1).

Drapers' Academy's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Drapers' Academy is one of 5 schools run by Drapers' Multi-Academy Trust, an academy trust.

128 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Drapers' Academy (as of April 2026): 85% would recommend the school, 83% say their child is happy there and 30% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (85%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (30%).

Of the 193 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 84% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 52% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 82 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 70% went on to university or other higher education, 1% to apprenticeships and 20% into work. 17% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

40.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 31.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (44%), Black (15%) and Asian (9%).

In 2026, 205 pupils (17.1%) received SEN support and 36 (3%) 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 a moderate learning difficulty.

The nearest railway station is Harold Wood Station, about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Settle Road, 130 metres away.

In 2024/25, Drapers' Academy issued 417 suspensions, 34.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 8 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Drapers' Academy are Drapers' Maylands Primary School (under 0.1 miles), Drapers' Pyrgo Priory School (0.1 miles), Mead Primary School (0.6 miles) and Drapers' Brookside Infant School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.