Highwoods Community Primary School
Colchester, CO4 9SN · Essex · primary school
40th 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 — 9.2/10 against 3,897 of them, against 8.8/10 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 | 78.0 · 84 | 40% | 3.36 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.81 |
| 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.
Get to know the school
How it's doing. In 2024/25, 78.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 24.0%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. 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 (9.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom. Pupils can join chess, French, forest school, computing and coding, maths, science, art and drawing, and board game clubs. Sports include football, basketball, and gym trail, while arts and music cover choir and dance. Year 6 pupils go on a residential trip. Both a breakfast club and an after-school club are available.
Getting in. The school has 447 pupils in a capacity of 450, leaving 3 spare places. With so few vacancies, places are likely to be competitive for new applicants.
Worth asking on a visit. How does the school manage the transition for Year 6 pupils before their residential trip? What specific support is available for children who do not reach the higher standard in maths? How are the 3 remaining places allocated if demand exceeds capacity?
Written by AI from this school's published results, inspection record and its own website — not by Ofsted, the school, or SchoolsGPT staff. Every figure above comes from the sources on this page. Check anything that matters with the school.
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.
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