Upminster Junior School Review 2026: High-attaining junior provision in Havering

Upminster Junior School is a Years 3 to 6 junior school, with around 360 pupils and an intake that starts at age seven. It is part of Hornchurch Academy Trust, and is led by Miss Alison Edgcombe, appointed in September 2016.

Academic outcomes are a clear strength. In 2024, 92.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, with high attainment across reading, mathematics and grammar, punctuation and spelling. This profile aligns with a school that is organised, explicit about expectations, and serious about ensuring pupils leave Year 6 ready for secondary school.

A junior school stands or falls on whether pupils feel confident arriving in Year 3, and whether they feel known by adults quickly. Upminster Junior’s external evaluation describes pupils as safe, polite and considerate, with clear systems for pupils to share worries and seek help.

The school’s own language is strongly geared towards collective identity. “We Learn And Grow Together” sits as a repeated refrain on the website and is reinforced in the headteacher’s welcome, alongside a stated intention to take children “on a journey of discovery and adventure” that excites the imagination.

In practice, this reads as a school trying to balance two things at once. On one side is a structured core, routines, consistent approaches to learning, and clear boundaries. On the other side is a deliberate push for curiosity, cultural breadth, and experiences beyond the classroom. Parents who like explicit organisation in a junior school, and who want strong habits for secondary, will recognise the emphasis here.

The most recent published performance data points to exceptionally high attainment at Key Stage 2.

In 2024, 92.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 51.33% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared with the England average of 8%.

Scaled scores are also strong. Reading averaged 109, mathematics 109, and grammar, punctuation and spelling 110.

Rankings reinforce the picture. Upminster Junior School is ranked 705th in England and 4th in Havering for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data). This places the school well above England average, outperforming roughly 90% of schools in England (top 10%).

These results have practical implications for families. First, pupils are likely to leave Year 6 with secure foundations in core literacy and numeracy. Second, expectations can feel high, because the majority of pupils are working at or above the expected standard and a substantial proportion are working beyond it.

A recurring theme in formal evaluation is the importance placed on precise language. Staff use a consistent approach to introducing and revisiting vocabulary, and they plan explicitly for the language pupils need to use, including in mathematics.

For parents, this matters because vocabulary is one of the strongest predictors of success across the junior curriculum. A school that teaches language systematically tends to support both high attainers who need academic precision, and pupils who have the ideas but need the words to express them.

The wider curriculum is described as well structured, and the most recent inspection activity focused in depth on reading, mathematics and art. That combination is telling. It suggests leaders are attending to the core, while also treating foundation subjects as more than “extra” lessons. Families with children who enjoy practical and creative work, but who also need a strong academic spine, are likely to see the benefit of that balance.

Because this is a junior school, the key transition point is the move from Year 6 to Year 7. The practical question for most families is not whether pupils leave with strong attainment, but how confidently they move into secondary routines and expectations.

Upminster Junior’s focus on vocabulary, structured curriculum sequencing, and pupils’ ability to talk about their learning points towards a school that prepares pupils to handle secondary subject teaching well.

Secondary transfer applications are coordinated through Havering. Families should plan early if they are weighing different secondary routes, as deadlines arrive well before the end of Year 6. Where there is uncertainty, parents can use FindMySchool’s Local Hub comparison tools to look at nearby secondary performance and admissions patterns side by side.

Admissions are coordinated through Havering, and families apply through the local authority rather than directly to the school. The school notes explicitly that there is no automatic transfer from the linked infant provision, and parents must apply online by the published deadline. After looked after and previously looked after children, priority remains for pupils currently on roll in Year 2 at Upminster Infant School.

For September 2026 entry, Havering’s published timeline states:

• Applications open on 1 September 2025

• Applications close on 15 January 2026

• Offer day is the evening of 16 April 2026

If you are relying on proximity, it is sensible to treat any prior distance information as indicative rather than guaranteed, because allocations vary year to year based on where applicants live. Parents shortlisting seriously should use FindMySchoolMap Search to check their home-to-school distance precisely and to model realistic options.

A strong junior school needs a pastoral model that respects how quickly children change between Year 3 and Year 6. The most recent published evaluation highlights that pupils feel safe, know how to raise concerns, and report that bullying is rare. Where issues do arise, pupils describe staff dealing with it effectively, supported by assemblies and workshops that teach what bullying is and what to do.

Safeguarding systems are described as well established, with staff training refreshed regularly and clear systems for recording and tracking concerns and incidents. Parents who prioritise calm, consistent boundaries, and clear escalation routes if something goes wrong, are likely to find this reassuring.

Clubs are treated as a structured programme rather than an informal add-on. The school explains that activities vary by term, that clubs can fill quickly, and that some provision is free while other activities have a charge or require equipment. The school also flags that families can discuss financial barriers confidentially, which is a practical, non-stigmatising stance for a state school community.

Examples of activities offered across the year include archery, athletics or endurance, cross country, remote control car club, outdoor adventure activities, origami, book club, choir, gardening, art, drama and French. Partnerships extend beyond the school gates, with references to Grosvenor Lawn Tennis Club, Havering Athletics Club and Platinum Gymnastics, as well as third-party wraparound and sports providers.

Music is unusually detailed for a junior setting. Instrumental tuition is available through Havering Music School with an ensemble model that can include guitar ensemble, show choir and recorders, plus specific options such as a Year 3 samba drumming ensemble. On-site lesson options listed include a wide range, from strings and woodwind through brass, percussion and voice. Instrument rental is referenced at £35.00 per year (subject to the music service’s terms).

The implication for families is straightforward. Children who need a “hook” beyond the classroom, whether sport, music, or practical clubs, should find multiple pathways here, and children who are still discovering their interests can try activities without needing a pre-existing specialism.

The school day is clearly published. Gates open at 8.30am and the school day ends at 3.20pm, with supervised entry from 8.40am. Timings differ slightly between Years 3 and 4 and Years 5 and 6, particularly around break and lunch.

Wraparound care appears to be delivered via external partners, including Essex After School Clubs and Your Sport, with booking handled through providers. The school does not publish a detailed, term-by-term wraparound timetable on the main clubs page, so families should confirm current arrangements directly if wraparound is critical.

For transport, Upminster is well connected for commuting parents. Upminster station has District line connections and c2c rail services, supporting travel into central London and across Essex.

• Junior-only entry point. This is a Year 3 start, which suits families who prefer a dedicated junior phase, but it means planning is needed well before Year 2 ends, especially because transfer is not automatic.

• High-attainment culture. With over 9 in 10 pupils meeting the expected standard at Key Stage 2 in 2024, expectations are likely to feel purposeful. For some children this is motivating; for others it can feel intense if they need a slower academic pace.

• Clubs can require commitment and sometimes cost. The school is transparent that places fill quickly and that some activities require payment or equipment. Budgeting and diary planning help.

• Wraparound specifics are not fully published in one place. Families relying on extended day care should confirm current sessions and pick-up times directly, as provision is delivered through partners and the termly booklet is not posted publicly.

Upminster Junior School is a high-attaining Havering junior school with a clear emphasis on structured learning, precise language, and strong routines, alongside a substantial menu of clubs and instrumental opportunities. It suits families who want academically focused Key Stage 2 provision, and who value clear systems for behaviour, safety and pupil voice. The primary obstacle for many will be the practicalities of securing a place through the coordinated process, and planning early for Year 3 entry.