Heathlands Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, West Bergholt
Colchester, CO6 3JF · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
27th 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 — 9.5/10 against 3,837 of them, against 9.5/10 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 | 86.0 · 95 | 40% | 3.78 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 24.0 · 95 | 25% | 2.38 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Heathlands Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, West Bergholt overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 86.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 24.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.5 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 411 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 curriculum support pupils who are already meeting the higher standard? What does a typical day look like for a child joining mid-year?
What Ofsted said about Heathlands Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, West Bergholt
Overview
Heathlands Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School continues to be a good school, confirmed during an ungraded inspection in April 2024. The report highlights a "caring culture" where pupils are "overwhelmingly happy," confident, and well-behaved within a welcoming community.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy a nurturing environment with high expectations, including effective support for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- The curriculum is generally logical and sequential, enabling pupils to "know more and remember more" in the majority of subjects.
- Reading development is a key priority, with an effective phonics programme and weekly library visits fostering a "love of reading."
- Children in Reception get off to a "strong start" with a well-organised early years curriculum that prioritises communication and language.
- Attendance is a high priority, with the school acting swiftly on data concerns, and governors are described as "skilled" with strong knowledge of the school.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, the precise sequence of knowledge is unclear, hindering teachers’ ability to plan learning that builds effectively on prior knowledge.
- In some subjects, teachers do not adapt activities well enough to ensure all pupils learn with equal success, resulting in work that is sometimes too easy or too hard.
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 | 74% |
| 2023/24 | 74% |
| 2024/25 | 86% |
| 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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