About Us

Barking Abbey school is a very large school on two campuses in East London that serves the boroughs of Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge.  

We are a non-selective, comprehensive twelve form entry school with a proud tradition of academic and sporting success. The school is very popular in the local community for both Year 7 and sixth form admissions and is heavily oversubscribed.

Barking Abbey School was founded in 1922 as one of the first co-educational grammar schools in England at the site in Longbridge Road. At the time, it was situated in a largely rural area, with fields and farmland close by. Gradually, as Barking began to expand as a residential centre, the school became the focal point for the community with an educational provision of national standing.

In 1970, Barking Abbey Grammar School was merged with Park Modern School to form the Barking Abbey School we know today.

Many traditions of the old schools remain, but with important developments to enable the school and its pupils to be fully prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of life in the twenty-first century. One thing remains central, however: we are an outstanding success.

Barking Abbey school has a very large Sixth Form with approximately 450 students. As a result of this we are able to offer a large range of courses to our 16-19 year olds.

We are proud of the fact that we are a multi-cultural community and we seek to celebrate our diversity in as many ways as possible. Tolerance of, respect for, and understanding of others are vital aspects of preparing young people for adult life. We want all of our pupils to Belong, Aspire, Succeed.

This ethos is what underpins our school motto:

“Give and Expect the Best”