The King John School, Benfleet

Good
Secondary
Academy converter
Mixed
Ages 1118

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Very likely (~2.1km)Possible (~3.0km)Unlikely (~3.9km)Confidence: high

Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Mr Daniel Steel
Pupils:2,098 / 2,000 capacity
LA:Essex
Phone:01702558284
Address:Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley, Benfleet, SS7 1RQ
Trust:ZENITH MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Admissions:Non-selective
Status:open
Opened:1 April 2011

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 8 months ago

Report card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)

Achievement
Strong Standard
Behaviour
Strong Standard
Personal Development
Strong Standard
Leadership
Strong Standard
Sixth Form
Strong Standard
Inspected 20 January 2026View full report
URN:136577
UKPRN:10033419
Diocese:Not applicable
Constituency:Castle Point
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

The King John School creates a genuinely happy environment where every child matters. Teachers really know your child's individual needs and adapt lessons to help them succeed, whether they need extra support or greater challenge. The school goes way beyond the classroom with amazing clubs, trips and leadership opportunities that help young people develop confidence and discover their interests.

Key Strengths

  • Exceptional attendance rates well above national average with effective support through the 'Pride Centre'
  • Pupils demonstrate excellent behaviour, respect and positive attitudes to learning with rare disruptive incidents
  • Broad, well-planned curriculum with expert teaching that builds deep knowledge and addresses individual learning needs
  • Highly inclusive environment with swift identification of needs and tailored support for all pupils including those with SEND
  • Extensive clubs, trips and leadership opportunities that develop character and prepare pupils for life after school

Areas for Improvement

  • Some pupils struggle to communicate their ideas in writing as confidently as their peers
  • Key stage 4 achievement broadly in line with national averages rather than exceeding them
  • Further development of writing teaching across the curriculum to improve pupils' confidence and expertise

Safeguarding

Safeguarding standards are met. The school has created an open and positive culture where all legal requirements are fulfilled, concerns are actively identified and acted upon, and pupils feel safe.

Extracurricular Activities

Cool Club, Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, arts clubs, technology clubs, sports clubs, eco committee, LGBTQ+ committee, student-run clubs, freshers' fayre, reading support programmes, leadership opportunities

The King John School is a highly inclusive and welcoming school where pupils thrive academically and personally, with strong attendance, positive behaviour, and excellent pastoral support. The school provides a broad, engaging curriculum with expert teaching and extensive opportunities for personal development and enrichment.

At a Glance

13.4%

Free School Meals

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

Yes

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

What Parents Think

20 responses
Would recommend90%
Child is happy90%
Well taught95%
Good progress100%
Feels safe95%
Well behaved90%
Bullying dealt with10%
Kept informed90%
Handles concerns45%
Wider development90%

Source: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree

Class Sizes

25.4

Avg class size

83

Total classes

20 classes with more than 30 pupils

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Bus Stops

King John School (opp)
204m · 3 min walk
Queens Lodge (adj)
330m · 5 min walk
Victoria House Corner (NW-bound)
339m · 6 min walk
Cranbrook Avenue (adj)
373m · 6 min walk
Bus Depot (SE-bound)
412m · 7 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

105%

Over capacity

2,098 pupils

2,000 capacity

98 places over capacity

Area Demand Pressure - Benfleet

High pressure
New homes approved:927
Projected new pupils:167

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Benfleet

Admissions Demand - Essex

Low demand0.96x oversubscription

Places available

17,576

Applications

16,788

Got 1st preference

83.8%

Got preferred school

97.1%

Secondary admissions across Essex (2025/26)

Inspection History(9)

20 January 2026Report card
Achievement
Behaviour
Personal Development
Leadership
Sixth Form
7 July 2021
27 January 2021

House Prices

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SEN Provision

How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.

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Pupil Demographics

The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.

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Teachers & Staff

Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.

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School Funding

Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.

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Pupil Absence
2024/25

5.93807%

Overall absence

14.05789%

Persistent absence

1,693

Enrolments

Authorised3.44093%
Unauthorised2.49714%
Persistent (10%+)14.05789%
Severe (50%+)2.24454%

Absence trend

3.44267%
18/19
3.0692%
20/21
6.24493%
21/22
5.88034%
22/23
6.0629%
23/24
5.93807%
24/25
Overall absence rate

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.

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