The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford
Chelmsford, CM1 1PA · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
249th 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 3,377 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.2/10 among them, against 6.0/10 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 | 74.0 · 76 | 40% | 3.02 |
| Ofsted | 14 | 35% | 0.48 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 4.0 · 35 | 25% | 0.88 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 74.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. However, 4.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.2 out of 10 among them, against 6.0 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 314 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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 not reaching the higher standard in core subjects? What specific steps are taken to address the gap between the school’s performance and the national median for higher standards? How does the new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about The Cathedral Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Chelmsford
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils "achieve highly" and "thrive and flourish" within a safe, inclusive community. Leaders have established a "calm and purposeful atmosphere" where attendance is high and behaviour is "exemplary," though some adaptations for specific pupil groups require greater precision.
Strengths
- Pupils "achieve highly" with above-average outcomes in national tests, and gaps in learning are "narrowing for the majority of pupils."
- Attendance is "rare" and tracked with "precision," supported by proactive early intervention and personalised responses to barriers.
- Behaviour is "remarkably well" conducted, with pupils showing "high levels of respect and self-discipline" and bullying being "extremely rare."
- The personal development programme helps pupils grow in "confidence, kindness and self-belief," with many referring to the school as their "oasis."
- Staff are "skilled at identifying and assessing pupils' barriers to learning," ensuring appropriate support for those with special educational needs.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must "increase the precision of information" to analyse performance for disadvantaged pupils and "accelerate closing attainment gaps."
- Staff development needs strengthening to deepen teachers' expertise in adapting content for the school's "changing context."
- Governors’ oversight for some pupil groups is "not as rigorous as it needs to be."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are "made safer and feel safe."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 68% |
| 2023/24 | 71% |
| 2024/25 | 74% |
| 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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