Gaynes School, Upminster

In its own words: "Students, all staff, parents and governors care about their own learning and make the effort to learn new things. We understand that learning develops the individual and for students maximises examination performance and therefore prospects for future economic well-being. Learning transforms our lives by giving us choices and opportunities we would not otherwise have."

From the headteacher's welcome: "As part of the Loxford School Trust we are able to work within a hub of schools, led by Loxford School, an Outstanding school, thus ensuring that our staff are able to deliver the highest educational standards. This enables us to stay ahead of an ever evolving education system and a constantly changing society."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, tennis, athletics, basketball, badminton, dance, drama and STEM.

In 2026, pupils at Gaynes School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 51.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 48.5 in Havering and 47 across England.

55% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 50% in Havering and 47% in England.

That is up from 50.7 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.24: pupils made above 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 40.5, against 55.8 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 15.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 19 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, French and History.

For September 2026 entry, 65 families put Gaynes School as their first choice and 462 named it as one of their preferences, for 145 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 Gaynes School are The Coopers' Company and Coborn School (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 58.1); Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School (0.8 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 59.5); Hall Mead School (1.3 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 51.5); and Sanders Draper (1.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 42.7).

Gaynes School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Gaynes School is one of 7 schools run by Loxford School Trust Limited, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 46.4 in 2024/25.

Of the 32 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 94% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 75% to a further education college and 3% into work.

12.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (56%), Black (24%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 79 pupils (15.8%) received SEN support and 12 (2.4%) 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.

Gaynes School had 39 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Upminster Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Parkland Avenue (->s), 310 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Gaynes 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 55 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Havering (201).

In 2024/25, Gaynes School issued 45 suspensions, 9.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Gaynes School are Upminster Junior School (0.7 miles), Upminster Infant School (0.7 miles), St Joseph's Catholic Primary School (0.7 miles) and Branfil Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.