Plume School
Fambridge Road, Maldon, CM9 6ABOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Plume School is a secondary school in Maldon for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 604 schools in Essex. It ranks 48th of 78 secondary schools in Essex. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 November 2023, report published 22 January 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 28 November 2023
Pupils are proud to attend Plume School. They appreciate the support they receive from staff, particularly around their well-being. The school celebrates the diversity of its pupils. As a result, they are tolerant and broad-minded. Pupils get on very well with each other; they treat each other and adults with respect. They are polite and kind. Pupils are increasingly resilient and independent. Staff have high expectations of pupils. Most pupils meet them; they behave very well. When a small minority do not, the school provides them with support to improve. The school offers a wide range of clubs, including sports and performing arts. Pupils learn how to be good citizens by raising money for local charities. Lead students promote environmental issues. There are many trips and visits, both locally and overseas. These increase pupils' interest in the curriculum and broaden their horizons. Pupils follow a broad curriculum that prepares them well for adulthood. They learn about different careers and gain the information they need to make informed choices at key points. Students in the sixth form build on the knowledge and skills they acquire in the main school, and as a result they achieve well.
What the school should improve
- In a few subjects, pupils do not have enough opportunities to revisit and practise important knowledge. Where this is the case, they do not recall their learning, including key subject vocabulary, as well as they could. The school needs to ensure that the revisiting of important knowledge, including the use of subject vocabulary, is consistently planned and delivered across all subjects.
- While most pupils behave well, some pupils, particularly on the Mill Road campus, are not always on their best behaviour around the building and when they come into lessons. This sometimes interrupts pupils' learning. The school should review its systems and procedures to ensure pupils display positive behaviours for learning throughout the school.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
289 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
140 students
Average A level grade C+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,789 pupils on roll, with places for 1,841
Schools near Plume School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lift Maltings | 5 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Attainment 8: 39.9 |
| William de Ferrers School | 6 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Attainment 8: 44.1 |
| Lift New Rickstones | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 40.6 |
| The Sandon School | 7 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 46.6 |
| Thurstable School | 7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 41.9 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- PLUME SCHOOL
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Tom Baster
- Phone
- 01621854681
- Address
- Fambridge Road, Maldon, CM9 6AB
- Local authority
- Essex
- URN
- 137790
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.