St John's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Buckhurst Hill
Buckhurst Hill, IG9 5RX · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
189th 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 2,587 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.3/10 among them, against 5.5/10 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 | 72.0 · 71 | 40% | 2.84 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.81 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.74 |
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's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Buckhurst Hill overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 72.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. However, 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2022. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.3 out of 10 among them, against 5.5 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 412 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 reach the higher standard in core subjects? What specific steps are taken to maintain the Good Ofsted rating?
What Ofsted said about St John's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Buckhurst Hill
Overview
St John’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils feel “happy, safe and valued as individuals.” The inspection highlights a strong sense of community underpinned by Christian values, with leaders effectively designing a curriculum that connects to pupils’ lives and fosters global citizenship.
Strengths
- Pupils are “confident and polite” with rare bullying, supported by leaders who “know them as individuals” and tailor assistance, particularly for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- The curriculum is carefully designed with “connected experiences,” such as linking trips to *The Lion King* with geography and history, helping pupils understand complex concepts like apartheid.
- Teachers possess “strong subject knowledge” and use assessment effectively to adapt teaching, ensuring high-quality spiritual, moral, social and cultural provision.
- Staff well-being is prioritised, with leaders taking account of workload and ensuring staff “have a voice in shaping the direction of the school.”
- Reading is prioritised from the early years, with phonics support helping pupils develop decoding skills, and most pupils enjoying a wide variety of texts.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure reading texts “closely match the needs of the pupils,” as younger pupils sometimes encounter difficult words and older pupils choose texts that are too easy, limiting vocabulary development.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a culture allowing pupils to share concerns, clear chronologies of issues, and appropriate staff training and recruitment checks in place.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 65% |
| 2023/24 | 56% |
| 2024/25 | 72% |
| 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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