Down Hall Primary School
Rayleigh, SS6 9LW · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
77th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.4/10 against 3,570 of them, against 7.8/10 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 | 81.0 · 89 | 40% | 3.57 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 9.0 · 61 | 25% | 1.53 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Down Hall Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 81.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 9.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join football, High 5 Netball, cross country, and District Sports, with both breakfast and after-school clubs available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 272 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 who are not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How are places allocated for the upcoming entry year?
What Ofsted said about Down Hall Primary School
Overview
Down Hall Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The school is described as a ‘happy and welcoming place’ where pupils feel safe, valued, and supported by staff who know them well. Leaders are ambitious and committed to sustaining performance across all areas of the school.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy strong relationships with staff and describe the school as a ‘family’, showing kindness and respect to one another.
- The curriculum is ‘thought out in a logical order’ so that learning deepens as pupils progress, with a strong focus on reading and phonics.
- Teachers use ‘secure subject knowledge’ to present new information clearly, and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well.
- Behaviour is ‘calm and purposeful’, with pupils staying engaged in lessons and following routines effectively.
- A well-planned character education programme builds resilience, while clubs and trips enhance personal development and social responsibility.
Areas to improve
- Recent curriculum changes have not been fully embedded for older pupils in key stage 2, who are not achieving the same success as younger years.
- Some groups of pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils, continue to have higher rates of absence, missing out on educational opportunities.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 48% |
| 2023/24 | 58% |
| 2024/25 | 81% |
| 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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