Strong Education Results and Strategic Plan for Barking and Dagenham 2026

Key Points

• Overall School Ratings: 97 per cent of schools and settings in Barking and Dagenham are rated at least Good under the previous Ofsted framework or meet required standards across all areas of the new inspection framework.
• Early Years Progress: The proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development increased to 72.7 per cent, rising above the national average for the first time and narrowing the gap with London.
• Primary School Attainment: 68 per cent of primary pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, placing the borough in the top national performance quartile.
• Secondary GCSE Results: Pupils achieving a strong pass in GCSE English and maths rose to 49.1 per cent, with both individual subjects remaining above national averages.
• Post-16 and Apprenticeships: Post-16 students achieved over 3,000 qualifications with improved A-level measures, while 40 young people secured degree apprenticeships with firms including KPMG, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Bloomberg and Shell.
• NEET Reduction and Attendance: The proportion of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) fell to 3.2 per cent, alongside school attendance outperforming national figures and suspension rates staying substantially below London and national averages.
• Community Investment: The Rising Generation Youth Centre opened earlier this year, youth services expanded, and more than 5,000 children and young people participated in the Holiday Activities and Food programme.
• Future Strategy: A new report to Cabinet outlines priorities for the upcoming Education & Participation Strategic Plan 2027-2030.

Barking and Dagenham (East London Times) November 14, 2026 – Children and young people across Barking and Dagenham are continuing to achieve strong educational outcomes, according to new figures presented to the local Cabinet that detail academic improvements across all key stages and set out priorities for the new Education & Participation Strategic Plan 2027-2030.

How are schools in Barking and Dagenham performing under inspection frameworks?

The official report submitted to Cabinet highlights the borough’s education performance during the 2025/26 academic year. According to the data, 97 per cent of schools and educational settings in Barking and Dagenham are rated at least Good under the previous Ofsted framework, or meet the required standards across all areas of the new inspection framework.

In addition to inspection outcomes, school attendance across the borough continues to outperform national figures. Simultaneously, suspension rates within Barking and Dagenham schools remain substantially below both the London and national averages.

What are the latest Early Years and primary school attainment figures in the borough?

Children’s academic outcomes continue to improve across all phases of education, beginning in the earliest stages. In Early Years, the proportion of children achieving a Good Level of Development increased to 72.7 per cent. This figure represents the first time the borough has risen above the national average in this category, while also narrowing the attainment gap with the wider London region.

At the primary school level, 68 per cent of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. This result places Barking and Dagenham in the top national performance quartile. Furthermore, achievement at the higher standard improved significantly, with the borough’s rate of improvement outpacing both the London and national averages.

How did secondary and post-16 students perform in the 2025/26 academic year?

Strong progress is also recorded in secondary education. The proportion of pupils achieving a strong pass in GCSE English and maths increased to 49.1 per cent. Overall results in both English and mathematics remain above national averages.

Post-16 students in Barking and Dagenham recorded some of the best outcomes in recent years, achieving more than 3,000 qualifications alongside improvements in key A-level measures. Following these results, a greater number of young people progressed to higher education. Additionally, 40 young people secured competitive degree apprenticeships with major organisations, specifically KPMG, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Bloomberg and Shell.

How is Barking and Dagenham supporting young people outside the classroom?

Beyond formal classroom attainment, the report highlights the borough’s performance in keeping young people engaged in education and work. Barking and Dagenham is now among the top-performing areas nationally for reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), with the local figure falling to 3.2 per cent—a rate significantly better than the national average.

Alongside academic initiatives, the council and its partners have continued investing in wider community opportunities. Earlier this year, The Rising Generation Youth Centre opened its doors, local youth services were expanded, and more than 5,000 children and young people took part in the borough’s Holiday Activities and Food programme.

Commenting on the findings in the Cabinet report, Councillor Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Education and Schools, stated:

“These results are a real testament to the dedication and commitment of our schools, teachers, support staff, families and young people. Barking and Dagenham continues to deliver strong outcomes, with children achieving above national averages in many key areas and more young people progressing into higher education, apprenticeships and employment.”

Councillor Jane Jones further added:

“We are particularly proud that our schools continue to be highly inclusive, that attendance remains strong, and that we are among the best-performing areas nationally for supporting young people to stay in education, employment and training. The new Education and Participation Strategic Plan priorities set out how we will build on these achievements, ensuring every child and young person has the opportunity to belong, matter and succeed.”

What is the background to Barking and Dagenham’s education performance and strategic planning?

The figures released to Cabinet reflect the culmination of the 2025/26 academic year within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Historically, local authorities across outer East London have worked to close attainment gaps between their pupils and wider London averages, particularly in Early Years development and post-16 progression. The council’s approach combines formal schooling oversight—aligned with evolving Ofsted inspection frameworks—with wrap-around community support, such as holiday food programmes and dedicated youth facilities, to maintain high attendance and low exclusion rates. The newly outlined Education & Participation Strategic Plan 2027-2030 serves as the formal policy successor to govern the next multi-year phase of educational administration and youth support in the borough.

How could the Education & Participation Strategic Plan 2027-2030 affect local students and families?

For children, young people and families living in Barking and Dagenham, the implementation of the Education & Participation Strategic Plan 2027-2030 is structured to maintain and build upon existing academic and pastoral support systems. Students entering Early Years and primary education can expect continued focus on foundational literacy and numeracy, aiming to sustain the borough’s position in the top national quartile. For secondary and post-16 students, the ongoing emphasis on keeping NEET rates low and maintaining links with major corporate employers indicates continued pathways into higher education and degree apprenticeships. Additionally, local families reliant on out-of-term support and youth facilities are likely to see continued provision through expanded youth services and programmes similar to the Holiday Activities and Food scheme.