The King Edmund School, Rochford

In its own words: "A place where young people genuinely want to be. Where every student is known, listened to and valued. Where families are true partners, our community is at the heart of everything we do, and every day brings opportunities to inspire, challenge and create memories that last a lifetime. We believe happiness and excellence belong together."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Choosing your Sixth Form is about far more than choosing subjects. It is about choosing the place where you will discover who you are, what you are capable of and who you want to become. We believe that every young person has remarkable potential. Some arrive with a clear vision of their future, while others are still discovering their passions."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include dance and drama.

The school runs after-school care.

Coming up: an open evening on Wednesday 18 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at The King Edmund School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 39.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.5 in Essex and 47 across England.

27% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 45% in Essex and 47% in England.

That is up from 36.3 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.83: 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 35.1, against 41.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 6.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 25 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Physics.

For September 2026 entry, 169 families put The King Edmund School as their first choice and 439 named it as one of their preferences, for 199 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 The King Edmund School are Lift Greensward (1.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 50.5); The Eastwood Academy (2.7 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 51.2); Southend High School for Boys (2.9 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 75.1); and Chase High School (3.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 38.5).

The King Edmund School's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Of the 258 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 44% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Of the 122 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 26% went on to university or other higher education, 7% to apprenticeships and 39% into work.

6.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 172 pupils (13.1%) received SEN support and 38 (2.9%) 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 Rochford Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The King Edmund School (outside), 120 metres away.

In 2024/25, The King Edmund School issued 373 suspensions, 27.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 4 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The King Edmund School are Holt Farm Infant School (0.4 miles), Holt Farm Junior School (0.4 miles), St Teresa's Catholic Primary School (0.5 miles) and Waterman Primary School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.