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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Expected standardURN 137088

The Palmer Catholic Academy

Academy converter · Ilford · IG3 8EU

Ages 11–18 · 1,132 pupils · Redbridge

School website

Ofsted

Expected standard

Attainment 8

50.4

Overall absence

7.1%

Admissions demand

0.66 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Expected standard

Inspection date

2026-02-03

  • AchievementExpected standard
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.49
−20+2
Attainment 850.4
English & maths grade 5+54%
English & maths grade 4+76%
EBacc entry41%

EBacc APS: 4.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence7.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)22.3%
Unauthorised3.1%
Authorised absence
4.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.7%
Enrolments in measure
1,004

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.66 · Often has places

1st preferences

97

Places offered

175

1st-preference offers

97

Total preferences (any rank)
343
Preferred offers (top 3)
166
Applications from outside LA
69
Offers to outside-LA applicants
28
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill96%

1,132 pupils · 1,174 places

Pupils on roll
1,132
Boys / girls
640 / 492
School capacity
1,174
Capacity fill
1,132 / 1,174 (96%)
Free school meals
33.3%
FSM pupils
308
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Roman Catholic
Diocese
Diocese of Brentwood
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC TRUST
Academy trust
THE GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC TRUST
Sponsor
The Good Shepherd Catholic Trust
Headteacher
Mr Paul Downey

Location

Address
Aldborough Road South, Seven Kings
Postcode
IG3 8EU
Town
Ilford
County
Essex
Local authority
Redbridge
District
Redbridge
Constituency
Ilford South
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Ilford, Redbridge, 1,132 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 33.3%. Religious character: Roman Catholic. Diocese: Diocese of Brentwood.

Open schools in Ilford
56
Secondary schools in Ilford
9
Academies among open schools in Ilford
20% (11)
Open schools in IG3
11
Secondary in IG3
1
Open schools in Redbridge LA
95
Secondary in Redbridge LA
15

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in IlfordNear IG3

  • Oaks Park High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Secondary

    Ilford · IG2 7PQ · Redbridge

    Ages 11–18

    • Att855.5
    • P80.6
    • EM5+67%
    • Absence7.2%

    1.0 miles away

  • The Ursuline Academy Ilford

    Ofsted: Strong standard

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Ilford · IG1 4JU · Redbridge

    Ages 11–18

    • Att861.4
    • P80.8
    • EM5+71%
    • Absence8.6%

    1.1 miles away

  • Mayfield School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Dagenham · RM8 1XE · Redbridge

    Ages 11–18

    • Att845.2
    • P80.0
    • EM5+44%
    • Absence8.9%

    1.1 miles away

  • Chadwell Heath Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Romford · RM6 4RS · Redbridge

    Ages 11–18

    • Att851.2
    • P80.4
    • EM5+50%
    • Absence6.7%

    1.1 miles away

  • Valentines High School

    Ofsted: Exceptional

    Community school · Secondary

    Ilford · IG2 6HX · Redbridge

    Ages 11–18

    • Att859.0
    • P80.9
    • EM5+69%
    • Absence5.6%

    1.4 miles away

  • Little Ilford School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Secondary

    London · E12 6JB · Newham

    Ages 11–16

    • Att847.1
    • P80.3
    • EM5+51%
    • Absence7.4%

    2.0 miles away

  • King Solomon High School

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Voluntary aided school · Secondary

    Ilford · IG6 3HB · Redbridge

    Ages 11–18

    • Att850.4
    • P80.4
    • EM5+50%
    • Absence9.7%

    2.0 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Paul Downey
Telephone
02085903808
Website
www.tpc.academy

Official links