Layer-de-la-Haye Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Colchester, CO2 0DS · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
50th 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 — 8.2/10 against 4,169 of them, against 8.4/10 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 | 75.0 · 78 | 40% | 3.11 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 21.0 · 93 | 25% | 2.32 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Layer-de-la-Haye Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 75.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. 21.0% 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 (8.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Art & Design, Knitting, and Tennis Clubs, or participate in Athletics and Fitness and Fun. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 203 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 do not reach the higher standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the Fitness and Fun sessions? How does the breakfast club integrate with the morning curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Layer-de-la-Haye Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Overview
Layer-de-la-Haye Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School continues to be a good school. Pupils describe the environment as a welcoming community where they feel safe, valued, and eager to learn. Leaders provide strong support for pupils’ well-being and academic progress, particularly in reading and mathematics.
Strengths
- Pupils speak exuberantly about loving their school and learning, valuing the "caring and kind" staff and peers.
- Staff deliver the phonics programme very well, ensuring pupils are "very well supported to learn to read quickly and fluently."
- The special educational needs coordinator identifies pupils needing additional support quickly, providing staff with effective strategies.
- Pupils’ wider well-being is "very well catered for," with access to resources like the ‘rainbow room’ and sensory play space.
- Leaders are committed to high-quality care, with most parents and staff praising their work and support.
Areas to improve
- Governance arrangements are not securing consistent high-quality checks, with governors relying overly on information from the headteacher.
- In some subjects, staff do not check pupils’ understanding well enough, preventing some, particularly those with SEND, from developing a "deep understanding of the precise knowledge that staff intend."
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well trained to identify concerns and act quickly, though some administrative gaps in recruitment records were resolved during the inspection.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 71% |
| 2023/24 | 69% |
| 2024/25 | 75% |
| 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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