St Mark's West Essex Catholic School, Harlow

In its own words: "St Mark's is a successful, well-ordered and caring Catholic school for approximately 1,000 boys and girls aged from eleven to eighteen, situated in the heart of Harlow, Essex. We are committed to the highest level of achievement for pupils of all abilities and we recognise that there are no limits to a child's potential."

From the headteacher's welcome: "One of the most important decisions you will make is the school that your child attends. At St Mark's we are committed to ensuring that your child receives the best education and the best opportunities. We believe that every child is an individual and deserves an environment in which they can thrive."

In 2026, pupils at St Mark's West Essex Catholic School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 50, 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 46.3 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.04: pupils made about 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 37.1, against 53.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.2 points.

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

For September 2026 entry, 197 families put St Mark's West Essex Catholic School as their first choice and 473 named it as one of their preferences, for 180 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 24 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to St Mark's West Essex Catholic School are Bmat Stem Academy (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 29.9); Sir Frederick Gibberd College (0.4 miles, Attainment 8 44.7); Burnt Mill Academy (0.9 miles, Good, Attainment 8 47.2); and Passmores Academy (1 mile, Good, Attainment 8 36.2).

St Mark's West Essex Catholic School's 2026 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Of the 172 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 93% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 37% to a further education college and 2% to an apprenticeship.

Of the 88 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 53% went on to university or other higher education, 5% to apprenticeships and 18% into work. 10% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

In 2026, 121 pupils (11%) received SEN support and 25 (2.3%) 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 Harlow Town Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Marks School (opposite), 120 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 542 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, St Mark's West Essex Catholic School issued 93 suspensions, 8.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to St Mark's West Essex Catholic School are William Martin Church of England Junior School (0.3 miles), The Downs Primary School and Nursery (0.4 miles), Freshwaters Primary Academy (0.6 miles) and Abbotsweld Primary Academy (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.