Helena Romanes School
Parsonage Downs, Great Dunmow, CM6 2AUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Helena Romanes School is an all-through school in Great Dunmow for ages 4 to 18. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 26th of 78 secondary schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 10 October 2023, report published 16 November 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 10 October 2023
Pupils appreciate that the school is improving. Most pupils enjoy attending Helena Romanes School. They benefit from a diverse range of visits and visitors, and trips such as to battlefields in Belgium, theatres and the Millennium Seedbank. These trips develop pupils' knowledge and interest in the wider world. There are many clubs, including art, music and a range of sports. Pupils have opportunities to develop their leadership skills. They can become prefects or join the school council. The vast majority of pupils behave well in this school. They treat each other and staff with respect. Pupils say that there is some bullying, but that teachers take action which makes it stop. Staff are skilled in providing support and guidance for pupils who need help with their well-being or behaviour. Pupils know how to keep themselves safe. Pupils, including those in the sixth form, follow a curriculum which is adapted to meet the needs of all learners. The school expects pupils to do their best in all key stages. As a result, pupils achieve well over time.
What the school should improve
- Pupils do not typically read widely or often for pleasure, and as a result, they do not develop their literacy, curiosity or acquire the knowledge of vocabulary as well as they should. Leaders should ensure that reading is promoted and celebrated through the school to ensure that pupils develop a love of reading.
- Some pupils do not communicate their ideas clearly or confidently when speaking. Leaders should review the curriculum so that regular opportunities to build pupils' oracy are built in to improve pupils' communication skills.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
212 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
76 students
Average A level grade D+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,265 pupils on roll, with places for 1,593
Schools near Helena Romanes School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felsted School | 4 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 35.0 |
| Forest Hall School | 6 miles | Report card: Needs attention to strong standard | Attainment 8: 40.6 |
| Birchwood High School | 7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 46.1 |
| Hockerill Anglo-European College | 8 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 61.7 |
| The Hertfordshire & Essex High School and Science College | 8 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 63.6 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- SAFFRON ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 4 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Ms Catherine Davis
- Phone
- 01371872560
- Address
- Parsonage Downs, Great Dunmow, CM6 2AU
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 137975
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.