Manningtree High School

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted judgements: Good

Colchester Road, Lawford, Manningtree, CO11 2BWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Manningtree High School is a secondary school in Manningtree for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 21st of 78 secondary schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 8 January 2025, report published 4 February 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 January 2025

Pupils have responded positively to the changes recently implemented at Manningtree High School. Pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), understand the increased aspiration the school now has for them. Pupils have answered this ambition by working hard. Most pupils focus on their learning and produce work that is of high quality. They learn well and achieve highly. Pupils are safe. They know that adults have their best interests at the forefront of their thinking. Pupils are confident that adults will help them to resolve any problems if they arise. Most pupils are well behaved. They are polite and engaging. Pupils can see how the increased expectation for their conduct is helping them to learn. The majority of learning takes place without disruption. However, around school, pupils are not always encouraged to move with purpose and with consideration for others. Pupils enjoy a broad choice of opportunities to develop existing talents or explore new ones. These include sports, performance, and the design and building of racing cars. Pupil leaders are proud of the roles they play in improving the school. They are passionate about the charities they raise funds for and the support they provide to their peers.

What the school should improve

  • Not all staff apply the school's agreed policies and protocols to manage pupils' behaviour. As a result, some pupils are allowed to be passive in their learning. A small number are allowed to leave classrooms and move around the school unchallenged. The school should ensure that all staff have the knowledge and expertise to consistently apply the agreed strategies to ensure positive behaviour across the school at all times.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

182 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score48.6

48.6, 2.5 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths52.7%

52.7%, 7.3 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths73.6%

73.6%, 8.8 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc42.9%

42.9%, 2.4 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.32

4.32, 0.23 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

908 pupils on roll, with places for 886

Eligible for free school meals13.3%

13.3%, 13.2 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language2.8%

2.8%, 18.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support11.1%

11.1%, 3.7 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.6%

3.6%, 2.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Manningtree High School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
East Bergholt High School3 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 47.8
Royal Hospital School5 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 50.9
Holbrook Academy5 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standardAttainment 8: 41.2
Colchester Academy6 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 38.5
The Gilberd School6 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 53.4

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
ALPHA TRUST
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mr Benjamin Briggs
Address
Colchester Road, Lawford, Manningtree, CO11 2BW
Local authority
Essex
URN
137945

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.