The FitzWimarc School, Rayleigh

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, tennis, basketball, badminton, yoga, cooking, photography, film and debating.

On phones, the school says: "Students may still bring mobile phones to school; however, phones, smartwatches and similar devices must be switched off and stored securely in lockers throughout the school day."

Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 5 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at The FitzWimarc School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.5 in Essex and 47 across England.

42% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Essex and 47% in England.

That is up from 45.2 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.2: 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 39.6, against 48.9 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 9.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 27 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 284 families put The FitzWimarc School as their first choice and 1055 named it as one of their preferences, for 292 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. 18 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to The FitzWimarc School are The Sweyne Park School (0.7 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 41.3); The Deanes (1.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 32.2); The King John School (2.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 51.6); and Lift Greensward (2.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.5).

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

Of the 290 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 88% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 47% to a further education college, 5% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

Of the 150 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 43% went on to university or other higher education, 10% to apprenticeships and 31% into work. 11% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

12% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 1.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 118 pupils (6.7%) received SEN support and 37 (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 autism.

The nearest railway station is Rayleigh Rail Station, about 780 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Fitz Wimarc School (opposite), 80 metres away.

In 2024/25, The FitzWimarc School issued 170 suspensions, 9.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to The FitzWimarc School are Edward Francis Primary School (under 0.1 miles), Rayleigh Primary School (0.6 miles), Glebe Primary School (0.6 miles) and Down Hall Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.