Ford End Church of England Primary School
Chelmsford, CM3 1LQ · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
195th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 5.7/10 against 3,300 of them, against 5.4/10 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 | 64.0 · 49 | 40% | 1.97 |
| 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.
Ford End Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 64.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, matching the national median of 64%. A higher 9.0% achieved the higher standard, above the national median of 7%. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (5.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 47 pupils against a stated capacity of 84. 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 reaching the higher standard? What does a typical day look like for a child in the current year group? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2024 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Ford End Church of England Primary School
Overview
Pupils at Ford End Church of England Primary School describe the environment as ‘one big family’, where they feel safe and valued. The report highlights a ‘comprehensive’ curriculum that is ‘very detailed’, supported by strong collaboration with two other schools in the multi-academy trust. Leaders have driven ‘rapid improvements’ in the quality of education, resulting in high attendance and positive feedback from parents.
Strengths
- Pupils ‘behave well and are rarely distracted from learning’, with ‘excellent’ behaviour and a strong sense of community.
- The curriculum provides ‘high levels of guidance for teachers’, ensuring pupils access a ‘broad and balanced mix of learning’.
- English teaching is effective, with a ‘clear’ approach to phonics; pupils ‘confidently use the strategies they have learned to read unfamiliar words’.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make ‘strong progress’ due to ‘highly focused’ additional support.
- Attendance has improved significantly, with ‘virtually all pupils now have high attendance’.
Areas to improve
- The teaching of writing is sometimes ‘disjointed’, with pupils tackling too many genres quickly, preventing them from securing understanding of specific techniques.
- Handwriting quality is ‘variable’, with many older pupils lacking ‘age-appropriate joined handwriting’ and younger pupils placing letters incorrectly on the line.
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 | 67% |
| 2023/24 | 70% |
| 2024/25 | 64% |
| 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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