Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2RF · Southend-on-Sea · primary school
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12th of 27 primary schools in Southend-on-Sea we can score, 33 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 — 6.2/10 against 2,600 of them, against 5.4/10 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 | 61.0 · 41 | 40% | 1.65 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 12.0 · 74 | 25% | 1.85 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 61.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. A higher 12.0% achieved the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 440 pupils against a stated capacity of 472. 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 fall below the expected standard in maths? What specific trips are planned for the current academic year? How does the Catholic ethos influence daily classroom routines?
What Ofsted said about Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
Overview
The inspection found the school to be ‘Good’ across all judgement categories, maintaining its previous rating. Leaders have successfully ‘re-energised’ the curriculum, particularly in early years and reading, fostering a ‘warm and friendly ethos’ where pupils are ‘eager to learn’. The school’s Christian values underpin respectful behaviour, while staff morale remains high due to effective trust support and well-being initiatives.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate high standards of behaviour, ‘respecting their teachers and one another’ and supporting peers, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- The curriculum builds knowledge over time, with staff explicitly teaching subject vocabulary and addressing misconceptions to consolidate learning.
- Reading provision is strong; pupils enjoy a ‘wealth of texts’ and staff effectively build fluency through phonics practice and targeted interventions.
- Nursery provision ‘shines’, with staff knowing children ‘exceptionally well’ and adjusting learning to individual starting points.
- The school actively promotes personal development through community projects, such as the eco-council and ‘hungry cupboard’, enriching pupils’ experiences.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must sharpen their ‘adaptive practice’ to ensure high-attaining pupils deepen their thinking and pupils with SEND achieve more, as current adjustments are not always effective.
- In Reception, assessment is not precise enough to inform planning, meaning children do not always undertake ‘purposeful activities’ that consolidate their learning.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘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 | 68% |
| 2023/24 | 49% |
| 2024/25 | 61% |
| 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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