William Read Primary Academy
Canvey Island, SS8 0JE · Essex · primary school
Check the area around this school
336th 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 — 1.7/10 against 2,490 of them, against 1.9/10 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 | 53.0 · 24 | 40% | 0.96 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
William Read Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 53.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0%, against a national median of 7%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in June 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Lego, colouring and Play-Doh clubs, play athletics, football and tennis, or take part in dance and the Choir.
Getting in
The published school roll is 189 pupils against a stated capacity of 390. 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 progress from the expected standard to the higher standard? What specific strategies are used to improve reading and writing outcomes? How does the school maintain its Good rating while addressing the gap in higher-standard attainment?
What Ofsted said about William Read Primary Academy
Overview
William Read Primary Academy has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The school is described as a "friendly and welcoming place" where pupils arrive "eager to learn" and feel safe. Leaders and staff work collaboratively to provide a high-quality education, with a clear trajectory of improvement in outcomes and provision.
Strengths
- Pupils learn a "broad and well-organised curriculum" that is strengthened by a wide range of trips and visitors.
- Staff have "positive relationships with pupils," greeting them with "warm smiles" and establishing clear routines that help children settle quickly.
- The school identifies additional needs quickly, ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive the support they need to "learn successfully."
- A "well-structured phonics programme" is delivered with consistency, helping pupils in Reception and Year 1 to "learn to read quickly."
- Attendance is "continuing to improve" due to robust systems that identify pupils and families needing support and work with agencies to address issues.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, the curriculum is "less developed," with an "absence of clearly defined key knowledge" limiting pupils’ ability to recall prior learning and apply subject-specific vocabulary.
- The school needs to ensure that key knowledge is "clearly defined in the curriculum" so that teachers know the most important content pupils must learn, particularly in the early years.
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 | 54% |
| 2023/24 | 68% |
| 2024/25 | 53% |
| 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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