Eastbury Community School Review 2026: An All-Through Powerhouse

Sitting in the heart of Barking, Eastbury Community School is a colossal educational machine that manages to feel surprisingly personal. As an all-through provider serving over 2,000 students from nursery to sixth form, it offers a rare continuity of care in a transient borough. The sheer scale allows for facilities that smaller schools cannot match, yet the atmosphere remains disciplined and focused.

The campus is vast, dominated by modern, purpose-built blocks that replaced the original mid-century buildings. At drop-off, the mix of tiny nursery pupils and blazer-clad sixth formers creates a genuine community feel. Inside, the environment is functional and orderly; leaders have worked hard to ensure that size does not equal chaos.

Ms Sharon Gladman, Executive Headteacher, leads with a clear philosophy of high expectations. The school’s ethos, "Getting the best out of everyone", is more than a slogan; it is a necessary operating principle for such a diverse intake. The student body speaks over 60 languages, creating a vibrant, multicultural energy that defines the daily experience.

Academic outcomes tell a story of significant value added, particularly in the primary phase.

Primary

In 2024, 83% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, smashing the England average of 62%. This performance is exceptional. Ranked 5,032nd in England (FindMySchool ranking) and 16th locally, the primary phase delivers results that compete with the best in the borough. At the higher standard, 20% of pupils achieved greater depth across all three subjects, compared to the England average of 8%.

Secondary (GCSE)

The secondary phase continues this solid work. The 2024 Progress 8 score of +0.21 indicates that students make above-average progress from their starting points. Ranked 2,706th in England and 12th in Barking and Dagenham for GCSE outcomes, the school sits in the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

Sixth Form (A-level)

At A-level, the focus is on progression rather than elite grades. In 2024, 29% of grades were A*-B. While this sits in the lower tier nationally (ranked 2,169th in England), it facilitates strong university access for a comprehensive intake.

The curriculum follows a "spiralling" model, where key concepts introduced in the primary phase are revisited and deepened in secondary. This all-through coherence is a major strength; primary specialists work with secondary subject experts to smooth the often-difficult Year 6 to Year 7 transition.

In the primary phase, the focus on literacy is relentless. Secondary teaching benefits from specialist facilities, particularly in STEM and the arts. The school holds the Artsmark Gold award, reflecting a commitment to creativity that many state schools have been forced to abandon.

The sixth form is a powerful engine for social mobility. In 2024, 69% of leavers progressed to university, a high figure that reflects the school's aspirational culture.

While A-level top grades are modest compared to selective grammar schools, the school successfully propels students into higher education. In 2024, one student secured a place at Cambridge, proving that elite pathways are open to those with the drive to seize them.

Admissions are coordinated by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The school is oversubscribed at both main entry points.

Primary (Reception)

With 145 applications for just 60 places in 2024, competition is fierce. The last distance offered was 0.54 miles in 2024. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. Applications close on 15 January 2026.

Secondary (Year 7)

Demand is equally high, with 493 applications for 187 external places. The popularity of the primary phase means many Year 7 places are taken by existing pupils moving up, squeezing availability for external applicants. Applications close on 31 October 2025.

Sixth Form

Applications are made directly to the school, typically closing in late February (27 February for 2026 entry).

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Education is free for all pupils.

Families should budget for standard costs such as uniforms, sports kits, and optional school trips. The school operates a cashless catering system for lunches. Financial support, including Free School Meals, is available for eligible families via the local authority.

With such a large student body, the risk of children becoming invisible is real, but Eastbury counters this with a robust house system and dedicated pastoral leads for each year group. The March 2024 Ofsted inspection highlighted that pupils feel safe and know who to talk to if they have worries.

The school is inclusive in the truest sense. It includes a dedicated provision for deaf students (ARP), ensuring they are fully integrated into mainstream lessons with specialist support.

The extracurricular list is extensive, leveraging the school's scale. The 'Green Power' electric car racing team allows future engineers to build and race vehicles, while the Debate Mate club regularly competes against private schools across London.

Music is a pillar of school life. The dedicated music wing, equipped with practice rooms and recording technology, supports a lively schedule of peripatetic lessons, from drums to classical piano. Sport benefits from a 3G floodlit pitch and a massive sports hall, hosting borough-wide competitions.

The school operates a breakfast club from 7:45am, providing a settled start for working families. The secondary day finishes at 3:00pm, with clubs running until 4:30pm. Located on Hulse Avenue, the site is a short walk from Upney and Barking stations, though most pupils live locally.

Size matters. With over 2,000 students, this is a busy, bustling environment. It suits confident children who can navigate a large campus; quieter children may initially find the scale overwhelming, though pastoral support is strong.

Admissions squeeze. The popularity of the all-through model means that securing a place in Reception is difficult. External entry into Year 7 is competitive, and families living more than half a mile away face uncertainty.

Sixth form academic profile. While excellent for value-added and university access, the sixth form's top-grade percentage (A*-B) is lower than local grammar or selective sixth forms. Highly academic students aiming for straight A*s may need to weigh the supportive environment against the peer group competition of a selective college.

Eastbury Community School is a local heavyweight that uses its size to provide opportunities a smaller school could not. With primary results that are frankly superb and a secondary phase that adds genuine value, it is a beacon of stability and ambition. Best suited to local families wanting a seamless, inclusive education from age 3 to 19 in a diverse, energetic community.