Ridgewell Church of England Primary School
Halstead, CO9 4SA · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
174th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 9.3/10 against 2,194 of them, against 8.3/10 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 | 77.0 · 82 | 40% | 3.28 |
| Ofsted | 6 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 15.0 · 84 | 25% | 2.09 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ridgewell Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 77.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 15.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils access 1:1 Music Lessons, play Kurling, and attend Forest School, Summer Welly Walk, and Winter Welly Walk trips. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 55 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 new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities? What specific support is available for pupils aiming for the higher standard?
What Ofsted said about Ridgewell Church of England Primary School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils experience "warm and welcoming relationships" and feel safe, with positive behaviour and rising attendance. However, teaching quality is inconsistent, leading to gaps in knowledge, particularly in writing, meaning pupils are "not as well prepared for their future learning as they should be."
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed.
- Attendance and behaviour are at an expected standard, with "calm and happy" classrooms and effective support for punctuality.
- Staff accurately identify needs for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), providing effective support and successful transitions.
- Personal development is strong, with pupils gaining a "secure grounding in the key knowledge they need for their future lives" through broad curricula and outdoor learning.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure staff "identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge quickly and effectively," particularly in foundational writing skills.
- Early years staff require strengthened support and training to develop "secure subject knowledge" for teaching key early reading skills.
- Leaders, including trust leaders, must act quickly to implement changes that make "timely and sustained improvements to teaching and pupils’ achievement."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 54% |
| 2023/24 | 25% |
| 2024/25 | 77% |
| 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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