Mark Hall Academy, Harlow

In its own words: "At Mark Hall Academy, we envision a community where respect forms the foundation of our interactions, fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding. With determination as our guiding force, we empower each individual to strive for excellence, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Mark Hall Academy is a mixed 11-16 comprehensive school. We strive to be a centre of achievement and good values at the very heart of Harlow; the town that we are so proud to serve. Mark Hall Academy strives for excellence, developing well-rounded young people equipped to be successful within society."

In 2026, pupils at Mark Hall Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 37.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.5 in Essex and 47 across England.

36% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Essex and 47% in England.

That is down from 38.9 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.82: pupils made well 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 31.1, against 40.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 9.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Social Studies and History.

For September 2026 entry, 134 families put Mark Hall Academy as their first choice and 351 named it as one of their preferences, for 155 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 Mark Hall Academy are Burnt Mill Academy (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 47.2); Bmat Stem Academy (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 29.9); Passmores Academy (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 36.2); and St Mark's West Essex Catholic School (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50).

Mark Hall Academy's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Mark Hall Academy is one of 12 schools run by Bmat Education, an academy trust.

Across the trust's secondary schools, pupils averaged an Attainment 8 score of 40.7 in 2024/25.

101 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Mark Hall Academy (as of September 2025): 65% would recommend the school, 68% say their child is happy there and 56% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (76%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (56%).

Of the 157 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 69% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 6% 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 (66%), Black (8%) and Mixed (8%).

In 2026, 127 pupils (14.6%) received SEN support and 19 (2.2%) 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 Harlow Mill Rail Station, about 0.7 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Mark Hall School (outside), 70 metres away.

In 2024/25, Mark Hall Academy issued 849 suspensions, 100.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Mark Hall Academy are Fawbert and Barnard's Primary School (0.2 miles), Tany's Dell Primary School and Nursery (0.5 miles), Newhall Primary Academy (0.6 miles) and Cooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.