St Martin's School Brentwood Review 2026: A Local Heavyweight

Sitting on a substantial site in Hutton, St Martin's is one of Essex's educational heavyweights, both in size and local reputation. With over 1,700 students, including a large sixth form, this is a school that operates on a grand scale. The atmosphere is bustling but purposeful, combining the resources of a large comprehensive academy with a structure designed to keep individuals from getting lost in the crowd. As the lead school in the Discovery Educational Trust, it plays a central role in the local educational landscape.

The campus on Hanging Hill Lane feels collegiate, with distinct blocks for different faculties spread across spacious grounds. The "South Wing" and "North Wing" structure helps break down the scale of the site for younger pupils. The school motto, "Be The Best You Can Be", underpins a culture that values individual effort alongside collective achievement.

Mr Jamie Foster, the Headteacher, leads a senior team that emphasizes high expectations. While the school is non-selective, the culture leans towards the academic; there is a palpable sense that students are here to work. The sheer size of the school means the environment suits students who can navigate a busy social landscape, though the house system provides a smaller community feel within the larger whole.

Academic performance at St Martin's is solid and reliable. In the 2024 GCSE examinations, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.2, sitting above the England average of 45.9.

Ranked 1,438th in England and 4th in Brentwood for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school’s performance reflects solid achievement in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (national typical band).

At A-level, the picture is consistent. The school ranks 1,415th in England and 4th in Brentwood. In 2024, 43% of grades were A*-B, with nearly 7% at A*. These results place the sixth form comfortably within the national typical band, offering a reliable pathway to university for the majority of its students.

The curriculum is broad, leveraging the school's size to offer options that smaller schools cannot. Key Stage 3 covers the full National Curriculum before students select options in Year 9. The school uses setting in core subjects like mathematics and science to tailor the pace of learning to student ability.

Teaching tends to be structured and consistent. The most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2024 rated the Quality of Education as Good, noting that the curriculum is ambitious and well-planned. Inspectors highlighted that teachers have strong subject knowledge and use assessment effectively to check understanding.

The sixth form is a major destination for Year 11s, though entry is not automatic and requires specific GCSE grades.

In 2024, 53% of leavers progressed to university. The school maintains a steady pipeline to competitive institutions; in the most recent cycle, one student secured a place at Cambridge from 15 Oxbridge applicants.

Alternatives to university are well-supported. 9% of leavers moved into apprenticeships, and 24% into employment, reflecting a pragmatic careers programme that values vocational routes alongside academic ones.

Admission to St Martin's is fiercely competitive. As a state academy, applications are handled by Essex County Council. In 2024, the school received 1,185 applications for just 287 places.

With over four applications for every seat, the school is heavily oversubscribed. Priority is given to looked-after children and siblings, followed by those living in the priority admissions area.

Notably, the school offers aptitude places. Up to 10% of the Year 7 intake (approximately 29 places) are allocated to children who demonstrate aptitude in Sport or Music. Families wishing to pursue this route must register for aptitude testing separately, typically in the autumn term of Year 6.

The catchment area is strictly enforced for general admissions. Families living outside the immediate Hutton and Shenfield borders often find it difficult to secure a place without sibling or aptitude priority. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates.

Managing a cohort of 1,700 students requires robust systems. St Martin's uses a Year Group structure led by Heads of Year and non-teaching Pastoral Managers. This ensures that while the school is large, there is always a dedicated adult available to handle day-to-day welfare issues without the distraction of a teaching timetable.

Behaviour is a strength. The September 2024 Ofsted report rated Behaviour and Attitudes as Good, with inspectors observing that pupils behave well in lessons and around the site. Leadership and Management was judged to be Outstanding, reflecting the strong culture set by the senior team.

Extracurricular life is a major strength here. The school's size allows for competitive sport at a high level. The PE department runs extensive fixture lists in football, rugby, netball, and athletics, often dominating district competitions.

The performing arts are equally visible. The school hosts regular productions and concerts, utilising the main hall and drama studios. Clubs range from the expected—Science Club, Choir, Debate—to the specific, such as the Coding Club and various STEM initiatives supported by the technology department.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Located on Hanging Hill Lane, the site is well-served by local buses, though traffic at drop-off and pick-up times is notoriously heavy. Parents are strongly encouraged to use public transport or walk where possible to alleviate congestion.

Scale of the school. With over 1,700 students, this is a busy environment. Shy students can sometimes feel overwhelmed in the corridors during transition, though the pastoral system works hard to mitigate this.

Catchment constraints. The popularity of the school means the effective catchment area can shrink in years with high sibling numbers. Living in Hutton does not automatically guarantee a place.

Aptitude Testing. Unusually for a comprehensive, the 10% aptitude criteria for Sport and Music offers a lifeline for talented children living outside the immediate catchment area. Families must be proactive to register for these tests early.

St Martin's School Brentwood offers a reliable, well-rounded education in a large and well-resourced setting. It balances solid academic results with excellent sporting and pastoral provision. Best suited to resilient, sociable students who will thrive in a busy, large-scale environment and take advantage of the breadth on offer. The main challenge is securing a place.