Rickling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Saffron Walden, CB11 3YG · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
114th 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 2,118 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.0/10 among them, against 7.0/10 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 | 75.0 · 78 | 40% | 3.11 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Rickling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 75.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 8.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.0 out of 10 among them, against 7.0 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Tennis Club, Agricultural Science Unit, Perform Drama Club, Coding Club, Music Classes, Pottery, Painting and Crafts, Football Fun and Development, and Netball Club. An after-school club is also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 98 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 to progress from the expected to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific activities are included in the Agricultural Science Unit? How does the after-school club structure its daily timetable?
What Ofsted said about Rickling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Overview
Rickling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The report describes a close-knit community where pupils embody values of love, respect, and responsibility, supported by high expectations and strong teamwork among staff.
Strengths
- Pupils learn to embody school values through initiatives like acting as ‘courageous ambassadors’ and raising funds for charities.
- Older pupils guide younger ones, such as during the ‘book swap’, helping children settle quickly into Reception.
- A rigorous phonics programme supports reading development, with many pupils achieving highly by the end of Year 6.
- Leaders prioritise staff training and foster strong teamwork, ensuring staff feel valued despite taking on extra tasks.
- The governing body sets strategy effectively and holds the school to account, promoting transparency and collaboration.
Areas to improve
- The school should focus on improving writing support across all subjects, as a mismatch between writing tasks and phonics knowledge leads to uncorrected errors.
- Support for writing is not yet fully in place for some pupils, including those with SEND, affecting their confidence and accuracy.
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 | 77% |
| 2023/24 | 73% |
| 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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