Abacus Primary School
Wickford, SS12 9GJ · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
185th of 391 primary schools in Essex we can score, 444 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 3,547 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.7/10 among them, against 5.5/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 66.0 · 54 | 40% | 2.16 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Abacus Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 66.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 8.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.7 out of 10 among them, against 5.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Mindful Mornings, Wellbeing Ambassadors, Young Leaders, Book Club, Craft Club, Kids with Bricks, Sign Language, and AbaChorus. Sports include football, gymnastics, Nordic walking, netball, and baton twirling. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 413 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to reach the higher standard in maths? What specific strategies are used to improve results in the similar-intake comparison group?
What Ofsted said about Abacus Primary School
Overview
Abacus Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils are "proud of their school and enjoy learning." Leaders have established a "well-designed and ambitious curriculum" that supports strong progress in core subjects, particularly reading and mathematics.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "well ordered" with small steps that build knowledge, helping pupils "remember more" and deepen understanding.
- Leaders "value reading very highly," resulting in pupils becoming "enthusiastic, fluent and accurate readers" through well-planned support.
- Children make a "strong start to learning in early years," developing basic skills for future complex learning.
- Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities "enjoy school, achieve well and become more confident" due to targeted adaptations.
- Pupils are "polite and well mannered," with bullying being rare and staff dealing with issues "quickly and consistently."
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, staff lack "fully confident and secure" subject knowledge, leading to less effective curriculum implementation compared to English and mathematics.
- Checking what pupils know is "not routinely carried out well enough" to identify gaps, meaning teachers cannot always address these before moving on.
- Subject leaders in non-core areas do not have "sufficient opportunities to develop the knowledge of staff," requiring better planning for training and monitoring.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with the team "swiftly identifying pupils who are at risk" and ensuring staff are well trained to keep children safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 67% |
| 2024/25 | 66% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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