Gosbecks Primary School
Colchester, CO2 9DG · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
235th 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 — 4.0/10 against 3,249 of them, against 4.2/10 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 | 53.0 · 24 | 40% | 0.96 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 25% | 1.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Gosbecks Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 53.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. The school achieved a higher standard for 11.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (4.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 227 pupils against a stated capacity of 216. 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
Since the 2024 inspection is recent, what specific improvements have been made to support reading and writing since that visit? How does the school support pupils who are working towards the expected standard in maths?
What Ofsted said about Gosbecks Primary School
Overview
Gosbecks Primary School continues to be a good school, providing a supportive environment where pupils are polite, friendly, and achieve well. The school fosters high expectations and a nurturing culture, ensuring pupils feel happy and safe while developing their interests through a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
Strengths
- The school has designed an "ambitious curriculum" with carefully ordered content that allows pupils’ knowledge to build effectively from early years to Year 6.
- Pupils read well by the end of Year 6, supported by daily phonics lessons and books that "closely match their stage of reading."
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive "effective support" that helps them successfully access the curriculum and achieve individual targets.
- Children in the early years settle well in a "well-organised and stimulating learning environment," showing sustained concentration and positive relationships with staff.
- Staff workload and well-being are positively impacted by manageable new initiatives and time given to subject leaders to review and develop their subjects.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, curriculum plans do not detail exactly the knowledge that should be taught, meaning teaching is "less effective at building on what pupils have learned before." The school should ensure all plans identify precisely the knowledge pupils should know and how this builds over time.
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 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 46% |
| 2024/25 | 53% |
| 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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