St John the Baptist Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Pebmarsh
Halstead, CO9 2NH · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
262nd 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 4,299 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.6/10 among them, against 3.7/10 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 | 50.0 · 19 | 40% | 0.76 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 25% | 1.65 |
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 the Baptist Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Pebmarsh overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 50.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 10.0% achieved it, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.6 out of 10 among them, against 3.7 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 97 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 who are below the national median in core subjects? What specific strategies are used to raise attainment in reading and writing? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap in expected standards?
What Ofsted said about St John the Baptist Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Pebmarsh
Overview
St John the Baptist Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Pebmarsh continues to be a good school. Pupils are described as happy, proud, and curious, benefiting from a close-knit community where they feel safe and supported. Leaders have implemented significant curriculum improvements, particularly in early reading and mathematics, ensuring knowledge builds securely.
Strengths
- Pupils are “happy and proud to attend” and enjoy learning, with teachers making lessons engaging through “well-chosen visits and visitors.”
- The curriculum is carefully structured so that “new knowledge builds upon what has already been learned,” allowing pupils to move “confidently and securely onto the next topic.”
- Children in Reception make “strong progress” in mathematics and phonics, gaining a “good foundation” and becoming increasingly independent.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “increasingly well provided with the support they need” and achieve well because staff “adapt their teaching skilfully.”
- Behaviour is excellent; pupils are “kind and tolerant,” treat others with respect, and bullying is “very uncommon.”
Areas to improve
- Assessment of older pupils’ reading is “not sufficiently precise,” meaning texts are not always matched to needs and some do not receive adequate support to become accurate readers.
- Teachers occasionally lack “high enough expectations,” resulting in a curriculum that is “not always sufficiently ambitious” to deepen pupils’ understanding.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff well-trained to spot signs that pupils may be unsafe and leaders providing effective support for those at risk.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 54% |
| 2023/24 | 55% |
| 2024/25 | 50% |
| 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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