Helena Romanes School

All-through
Academy
Ages 4 to 18

Ofsted: Good

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

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

212 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score46.6

46.6, 0.5 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths49.5%

49.5%, 4.1 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths70.3%

70.3%, 5.5 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc34.9%

34.9%, 5.6 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.09

4.09, the same as the England average.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

76 students

Average point score per A level entry24.99

24.99, 10.01 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade D+, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,265 pupils on roll, with places for 1,593

Eligible for free school meals16.8%

16.8%, 9.7 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5.1%

5.1%, 16.5 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support8.5%

8.5%, 6.3 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan1.8%

1.8%, 4.2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

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
Website: helena-romanes.essex.sch.uk (opens in a new tab)
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.