St John Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Danbury
Chelmsford, CM3 4NS · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
109th 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 — 6.9/10 against 4,242 of them, against 7.2/10 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 | 71.0 · 68 | 40% | 2.73 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St John Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Danbury overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 71.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 13.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2023. 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 (6.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 222 pupils against a stated capacity of 230. 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 trips are planned for the current academic year?
What Ofsted said about St John Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Danbury
Overview
St John Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Danbury continues to be a good school, described as a "calm and happy place" where pupils feel safe and valued. The report highlights a caring environment where pupils demonstrate positive relationships with staff and consistently good behaviour, underpinned by the school’s core values.
Strengths
- Pupils learn in a "caring and accepting environment" and are "confident to be themselves," trusting adults to help with concerns.
- Teachers are "highly skilled at asking questions" to check understanding and adapt learning effectively, particularly for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Reading is a high priority, with teachers providing "high-quality phonics teaching" and ensuring pupils have books matching their reading stage.
- Children in the early years develop positive behaviours such as "concentration and resilience," remaining enthusiastic about challenges throughout their time at the school.
- Governors provide "strong support and challenge," while staff feel valued and receive purposeful training.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, the school has not clearly set out the core content pupils should know, leading to gaps in knowledge.
- The school is not making necessary checks to ensure the curriculum is taught as intended in all subjects, causing pupils to struggle with recalling learning over time.
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 | 80% |
| 2023/24 | 66% |
| 2024/25 | 71% |
| 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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