Harlowbury Primary School
Harlow, CM17 0DX · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
357th 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 4,254 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.5/10 among them, against 3.6/10 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 | 65.0 · 52 | 40% | 2.07 |
| Ofsted | 7 | 35% | 0.24 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Harlowbury Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 65.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.5 out of 10 among them, against 3.6 out of 10 nationally. The school was inspected in June 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Change 4 Life club, participate in cross country, netball, athletics, and swimming, visit Gibberd Gardens, and attend an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 184 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. 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 have not yet reached the higher standard in core subjects? What specific support is available for children who need extra help with reading or maths? How does the school ensure that the after-school club remains accessible to all families?
What Ofsted said about Harlowbury Primary School
Overview
Harlowbury Primary School is described as a place where pupils feel safe, valued, and well cared for, with strong relationships underpinning a positive culture. The report highlights significant strengths in early years provision, phonics, and reading, where teaching is systematic and pupils achieve well. However, inconsistencies in teaching quality and curriculum implementation across other subjects mean that some pupils do not yet reach the highest standards or develop sufficient independence.
Strengths
- Pupils develop "strong foundational knowledge" in early reading and phonics, reading fluently and applying skills confidently.
- The early years environment is "calm, safe and nurturing," with purposeful teaching that supports children’s progression and independence.
- Attendance is improving, with substantial gains among persistent absents due to clear strategic oversight and targeted interventions.
- Pupils behave well, showing "positive attitudes to learning" and respectful interactions, with bullying reported as rare.
- Leaders have strengthened transition processes and pastoral support, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) access learning alongside peers.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teachers have the skills to "successfully adapt their teaching" to meet pupils' needs, as some do not consistently provide sufficient challenge or check understanding precisely.
- The curriculum needs to be "sequenced, well planned and suitable" across all subjects to provide opportunities for pupils to deepen their understanding.
- Leaders should continue to embed new assessment systems to ensure an "accurate understanding of individual pupils' needs," particularly for those with SEND who sometimes rely too heavily on adult support.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed, ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 65% |
| 2023/24 | 70% |
| 2024/25 | 65% |
| 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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