Eastbrook School: All-Through Community Hub in Dagenham

Eastbrook School is a vast, all-through community school in Dagenham that takes children from age three right through to nineteen. Housed in a modern campus following a major rebuild in 2017, it offers a seamless educational journey for local families. While the primary phase delivers results well above national averages, the secondary phase faces greater challenges with academic progress. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2021, and a recent inspection in November 2025 highlighted "strong standards" in behaviour and attendance.

The campus on Dagenham Road feels distinct from the typical Victorian school buildings of London. The 2017 rebuild created a purpose-built environment with specialist wings for science and arts, wide corridors, and glass-fronted classrooms that emphasise transparency. Despite the scale of an all-through school, the primary and secondary phases have dedicated areas, ensuring younger children are not overwhelmed by the size of the site.

Mr Tony Roe serves as Executive Headteacher, overseeing a leadership structure that includes dedicated heads for the primary and secondary phases. This structure allows the school to maintain a unified ethos while addressing the specific needs of different age groups. The school motto, "Character and Academics", is supported by the PROUD values: Principled, Resilient, Open, Understanding, and Disciplined. These are not just wall displays; the most recent inspection noted that high expectations are communicated clearly, creating a calm atmosphere where pupils behave sensibly.

Academic performance at Eastbrook tells a story of two distinct halves. The primary phase is a clear strength. In 2024, 73% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, significantly outperforming the England average of 62%. The school ranks 14th among 44 primaries in Barking and Dagenham, placing it in the top 27% of schools in England for primary outcomes.

The secondary phase presents a more complex picture. At GCSE in 2024, the Average Attainment 8 score was 35.2, below the England average of 45.9. The Progress 8 score of -0.62 indicates that students make less progress from their starting points than their peers nationally. This places the school in the national lower band (bottom 40%) for secondary progress.

Sixth form outcomes also reflect this challenge. In 2024, 12% of A-level grades were A*-B, below the England average. The sixth form provision is often vocational-heavy, catering well to students seeking BTEC pathways, but those aiming for elite universities may need to weigh the academic data carefully.

The curriculum is broad and follows the national framework. In the primary phase, teaching is structured and highly effective, particularly in literacy and early mathematics. The strong primary results suggest a rigorous approach to foundational skills that prepares children well for the next stage.

In the secondary phase, students benefit from excellent specialist facilities. The science laboratories and design technology workshops are modern and well-equipped. However, the disparity in results suggests that consistency in academic rigour varies. The school has focused heavily on reading strategies to support students arriving in Year 7, and recent feedback suggests that teachers break down knowledge into logical steps to support understanding.

One of Eastbrook's key appeals is stability. The majority of Year 6 pupils progress automatically to Year 7, avoiding the stress of the standard secondary transfer process. For those leaving after GCSEs, the on-site sixth form is a popular choice, particularly for vocational courses.

University destinations for sixth form leavers include a range of London and UK institutions. In 2024, the school did not record specific Oxbridge acceptances in the data provided, and the progression to Russell Group universities is lower than at selective providers in the borough.

Admissions are coordinated by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The school is consistently oversubscribed. In 2024, there were 130 applications for 44 Reception places and 354 applications for 110 Year 7 places.

For Reception and Year 7 entry, if oversubscribed, priority is given to looked-after children, siblings of current students, and then those living closest to the school. Distance is the key tie-breaker, measured in a straight line from the home address to the main entrance. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to recent offer distances.

Pastoral care is organised through a House system that fosters a sense of belonging within the larger school population. Houses such as Einstein, Curie, and Hawking give students a smaller community identity. The school takes a proactive approach to wellbeing; the 2025 inspection findings noted that leaders have done much to improve attendance, working closely with families to overcome barriers. Safeguarding is effective, with an open culture where concerns are identified and managed swiftly.

The "Eastbrook Extra" programme offers a range of clubs and activities. The modern sports facilities, including a large sports hall and dance studio, support a strong physical education programme. Football, netball, and athletics are staples of the weekly routine.

The arts are also well served. The "Fragile Structures" A-level art exhibition showcases student talent, and the school participates in the Debate Mate programme to build oracy skills. History trips to the National Archives and Hampton Court Palace enrich the academic curriculum.

The school is located on Dagenham Road, accessible via local bus routes and a walk from Dagenham East station. A breakfast club is available, supporting working parents. The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm, though parents should verify current timings on the school website.

Primary vs Secondary Gap. There is a significant difference between the high-performing primary phase and the secondary phase, where progress scores are currently negative. Families joining in Reception get an excellent start, but should review secondary performance nearer to Year 6.

Sixth Form Focus. The sixth form results are modest for A-levels. Students with specific aspirations for highly competitive universities should explore the subject-specific support available at Year 12.

Oversubscription. Despite the challenges in secondary results, the school's facilities and primary strength make it popular. Securing a place requires living relatively close to the school or having sibling priority.

Eastbrook School is a community hub that offers a nurturing, stable environment for local families. The primary provision is excellent, delivering strong results in a modern setting. While the secondary phase has work to do to match this academic standard, the recent positive inspection findings suggest a school moving in the right direction. Best suited to families seeking an all-through education where children can grow up in one familiar, supportive community. The main challenge is the disparity in academic outcomes between phases.