Essendon CofE (VC) Primary School
Essendon, AL9 6HD · Hertfordshire · primary school
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269th of 337 primary schools in Hertfordshire we can score, 398 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 2.1/10 against 2,609 of them, against 2.2/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 17.0 · 1 | 40% | 0.03 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.81 |
| 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.
Essendon CofE (VC) Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 17.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the school recorded 8.0% against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022.
Getting in
The published school roll is 77 pupils against a stated capacity of 115. 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 below the expected standard in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to raise attainment in reading and maths? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Essendon CofE (VC) Primary School
Overview
Essendon CofE (VC) Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils behave with tolerance and respect, reflecting the institution’s Christian ethos. The report highlights an ambitious curriculum with logical learning sequences, though it notes that some aspects of early years provision and support for specific pupils require strengthening to match the high standards seen elsewhere in the school.
Strengths
- Pupils quickly learn and live up to the school’s values, encapsulated in the ‘Essendon Way’, resulting in rare bullying that is dealt with sensitively.
- Leaders have carefully mapped out an ambitious curriculum with logical learning sequences, ensuring teachers have secure subject knowledge to deliver it effectively.
- Teachers provide effective phonics instruction, giving pupils opportunities to practise sounds using well-matched books, helping them become confident, fluent readers.
- Pupils enjoy enrichment opportunities such as educational visits, residential trips, and clubs, including leadership roles like ‘eco warriors’.
- Staff support pupils to behave in a calm and orderly way, with well-structured activities during lunchtimes and breaktimes.
Areas to improve
- Teachers need to ensure they support pupils to connect past learning with new learning, particularly in subjects that are alternated and not taught every week.
- Leaders need to ensure that provision in early years is well matched to needs, especially in literacy, as some pupils do not learn to read and write as well as they should.
- Leaders need to ensure that all pupils, including those receiving extra support, are able to access the full curriculum without missing out on lesson time.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff using comprehensive training to identify concerns and leaders working with external agencies to secure support for families.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 38% |
| 2023/24 | 38% |
| 2024/25 | 17% |
| 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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