Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Witham, CM8 1DX · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
150th 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 — 6.6/10 against 3,899 of them, against 6.4/10 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 | 70.0 · 65 | 40% | 2.61 |
| 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.
Holy Family Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 70.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with a national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 9.0%, 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 (6.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in 2022-11.
Getting in
The published school roll is 201 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 are working towards the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are available for pupils interested in music or art?
What Ofsted said about Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Overview
Holy Family Catholic Primary School is rated as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. Pupils are described as happy, respectful, and well-prepared for their next educational stage, benefiting from a ‘broad and rich curriculum’ and a ‘nurturing ethos’. The school fosters a positive atmosphere where bullying is rare and pupils feel safe and confident.
Strengths
- Staff are ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘well trained’, delivering lessons that help pupils build on prior knowledge and secure understanding before progressing.
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious’ and carefully planned, with a strong focus on reading; pupils ‘speak with interest about the books they read’.
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is effective, with the SENCo working closely to ensure ‘right support at an early stage’.
- Early years provision prepares children well for Key Stage 1, prioritising spoken language and mathematical understanding through ‘skilful’ adult interactions.
- Personal development is supported through a ‘comprehensive’ PSHE and sex and relationships education curriculum, alongside opportunities in sports and outdoor learning.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure staff receive continued guidance and training to implement the new synthetic phonics programme confidently and effectively.
- Reading support for Key Stage 2 pupils, including those with SEND, must use ‘carefully chosen, decodable texts’ matched to sounds they are learning to improve fluency.
- Leaders should review communication channels to ensure parents can access information ‘quickly and efficiently’, reducing current confusion.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’, with a positive culture, vigilant staff, and robust procedures for recording and reporting concerns.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 71% |
| 2023/24 | 74% |
| 2024/25 | 70% |
| 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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